Obama calls for replacing sequester with balanced approach

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama urged Congress on Saturday to replace automatic across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester with what he called "a balanced approach," which combines "smart" cuts with reforms.The appeal came the day after the president, complying with the law, signed an order bringing arbitrary cuts worth US$85 billion into force as well as a report by his...

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U.S. to 'rain mice' on tree snakes

on your computer or on the CNN Apps for iPhone® and iPad®.iPhone, iPad and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.If you get CNN and HLN at home, you can watch them online and on the go for no additional chargeStart watch...

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What does the WH's brief for Supreme Court mean for same-sex marriage?

(CBS News) WASHINGTON - At his news conference Friday, President Obama was asked about his decision to get involved in the battle over same-sex marriage in California's ban on same-sex marriage. Late Thursday, the administration filed a brief with the Supreme Court, saying that California's ban on gays and lesbians marrying violates their constitutional rights. "If the Supreme Court asks me or my...

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Sequester: What Will Happen, What Won't Happen

When it comes to critical elements of the sequester timeline, not much is known -- because federal agencies have been tight lipped.Asked when specific effects will be felt, officials at three federal departments declined to discuss the timing of sequester cuts and their consequences. Some departments were waiting for President Obama's Friday night sequester order and subsequent...

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Syria war is everybody's problem

Syrians search for survivors and bodies after the Syrian regime attacked the city of Aleppo with missiles on February 23.STORY HIGHLIGHTSFrida Ghitis: We are standing by as Syria rips itself apart, thinking it's not our problemBeyond the tragedy in human terms, she says, the war damages global stabilityGhitis: Syria getting more and more radical, jeopardizing forces of democracyGhitis: Peace counts...

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Italy's lefti-wing leader suggests loose alliance to end deadlock

ROME: Italian left-wing leader Pier Luigi Bersani on Friday held out the prospect of forming a minority government based on a loose alliance in parliament following inconclusive elections, as Europe puts on pressure for a quick solution."I am calling it a government of change, which I would take the responsibility of leading," the Democratic Party leader said in an interview with La Repubblica...

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Our unhealthy love of reality TV bullies

STORY HIGHLIGHTSReality TV shows twice the number of aggressive acts as other showsWatching aggressive acts on TV can influence viewers' behaviorAdult victims of bullying suffer from poor health as a result Editor's note: Don't miss the premiere of "The Bully Effect" on "AC360" at 10 p.m. ET tonight. (CNN) -- A red-faced Gordon Ramsay gets nose-to-nose with an older man and shouts, "Wake up!" He calls...

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Man trapped in 100-foot-wide sinkhole near Tampa

Scene where 100-foot-wide sinkhole suddenly opened under bedroom of home in Brandon, Fla., near Tampa, trapping sleeping man late on Feb. 28, 2013 / WTSP-TV/CBS BRANDON, Fla. A large sinkhole opened under the bedroom of a house near Tampa, trapping a 34-year-old man in the rubble. The home collapsed late Thursday in a Brandon neighborhood. By early Friday, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue...

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Sequester Set to Trigger Billions in Cuts

Nobody likes the sequester.Even the word is enough to send shivers of fiscal panic, or sheer political malaise, down the spines of seasoned politicians and news reporters. And today, the sequester will almost certainly happen, a year and a half after its inception as an intentionally unpalatable event amid the stalemate of the debt-limit crisis in 2011.Automatic budget cuts will be...

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Taiwan ebullient over Ang Lee's Oscar

STORY HIGHLIGHTSAng Lee's name beamed on building in Taiwan after Oscar winLee, born in Taiwan, won award for best director for "Life of Pi"Lee's win created excitement in Taiwan and China, both claimed him as their ownRyan: "In some ways it feels like 'Linsanity' all over again"Editor's note: Andrew Ryan is a host and producer at Radio Taiwan International, a government-owned station that broadcasts...

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