Italy left on financial high-wire

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Rome on January 25, 2013. STORY HIGHLIGHTSBrilliant minds are still trying to figure out the financial impact of Italy's electionThe lack of certainty is seen as a negative for Italy -- and the eurozoneInstability could reignite the eurozone crisisBut it depends on what deal will be done, and how the markets will respond...

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Japan's factory output up 1.0% in January

TOKYO: Japan's factory output for January rose a smaller-than-expected 1.0 per cent from the previous month, official data showed on Thursday.The rise was weaker than a 1.5 per cent expansion expected by the market and a revised 2.4 per cent increase in December.But the ministry maintained a positive view, saying in a monthly report: "Industrial production has bottomed out and shows some...

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As cuts near, what's Congress doing?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: GOP plan would require Obama to submit alternative cuts to Congress by March 15During a visit to the Capitol, Obama talks briefly with Hill leaders about the cuts Obama set to meet with congressional leaders at the White House on Friday Republican says White House uses cuts to release undocumented workers with criminal recordsWashington (CNN) -- We now have only two days left...

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Supreme Court divided on Voting Rights Act

(CBS News) WASHINGTON -- The Voting Rights Act has been the law of the land for nearly half a century, helping to ensure that minorities are not denied the right to vote. On Wednesday, Shelby County, Ala., challenged the law at the Supreme Court. The arguments sharply divided the justices: The court's conservative majority appeared poised to strike down at least part of the act and eliminate the...

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Holder Says Sequester Makes America Less Safe

The looming budget sequestration will make Americans less safe, Eric Holder says—and anyone who says otherwise isn't telling the truth."This is something that is going to have an impact on the safety of this country," the U.S. attorney general told ABC's Pierre Thomas on Wednesday in a wide-ranging, exclusive interview."And anybody that says otherwise is either lying or saying...

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Benedict: Pope aware of his flaws?

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his last Angelus Blessing to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square on February 24.STORY HIGHLIGHTSSister Mary Ann Walsh: Pope Benedict acknowledged that he made mistakesWalsh: In firestorm over scholarly quotes about Islam, he went to great lengths to atoneWalsh: Similarly, he quickly reversed a decision that had angered Jews and repaired tiesEven his stepping...

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Batman to lose son Robin

NEW YORK: Batman may be able to save the world, but he'll lose his sidekick Robin -- who in his current incarnation as his son -- in the upcoming Batman Incorporated comic book series.DC Comics said the caped crusader's acrobatic young assistant, Batman alter ego Bruce Wayne's son Damian, will die in Wednesday's issue number eight."This master theme of damaged and ruined families was nowhere...

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Meet the new Pentagon chief: former Army Sgt. Chuck Hagel

STORY HIGHLIGHTSSenate votes 58-41 to confirm former Nebraska senator, a RepublicanFight for Cabinet post was deeply partisan, uphill battle for HagelNEW: Obama says he will rely on Hagel's counsel on national security issuesNEW: Hagel pledges to work with Congress; Will be sworn in on WednesdayWashington (CNN) -- Chuck Hagel's rocky and inauspicious path to leadership of the Pentagon could haunt...

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Dozens of prominent Republicans sign brief backing gay marriage

Matthew Wiltse, right, places a wedding ring on the finger of Jonathon Bashford as they took their wedding vows before Superior Court Judge Chris Wickham at the Thurston County Courthouse just after midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Olympia, Wash. / AP Photo/Rachel La Corte More than 80 "conservative voices" have signed onto a legal brief supporting the notion that same-sex couples should...

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Arias Liked Some Kinky Sex, She Admits

Though accused murderer Jodi Arias said she sometimes felt "like a prostitute" at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander, she admitted today that she often enjoyed their sex life and even suggested sex acts they could try.Prosecutor Juan Martinez, after a day of aggressive questioning and bickering with Arias, asked her about her own suggestions for her sex life with...

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