How Obama made opportunity real

STORY HIGHLIGHTSLZ Granderson: Specifics of Obama's first term may not be rememberedHe says his ability to win presidency twice is unforgettableGranderson: Obama, the first black president, makes opportunity real for manyHe says it makes presidency a possibility for people of all backgroundsEditor's note: LZ Granderson, who writes a weekly column for CNN.com, was named journalist of the year by the...

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Obama issues inaugural call for unity, equality

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama issued a impassioned call for equality and national unity as he was inaugurated for a second term Monday, warning political "absolutism" must not thwart renewal and change.Obama was publicly sworn in for another four White House years before a flag waving crowd of hundreds of thousands on Washington's National Mall. Then he delivered an address steeped...

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3 Americans killed in Algeria

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: U.S. State Department identifies three citizens killed in the Algeria gas plant standoffBritain's prime minister praises Algerian forces that ended the standoffAt least 37 hostages died in terrorist attack and raid on gas complex, Algeria saysThe attackers came from northern Mali, an Algerian official says(CNN) -- At least 37 hostages died in the terrorist seizure of, and ensuing...

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Official: 3 Americans total died in Algeria attack

Updated at 2:53 p.m. ET WASHINGTON Three U.S. citizens were killed in last week's hostage standoff at a natural gas complex in Algeria, while seven Americans made it out safely, the State Department said Monday. The State Department confirmed that gas workers Victor Lynn Lovelady and Gordon Lee Rowan were killed at the Ain Amenas gas field in the Sahara. U.S. officials identified Texas resident...

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President Obama Calls for 'Collective Action'

Invoking the nation's founding values, President Obama marked the start of his second term today with a sweeping call for "collective action" to confront the economic and social challenges of America's present and future."That is our generation's task, to make these words, these rights, these values -- of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- real for every American,"...

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Obama's speech: Learn from Lincoln

STORY HIGHLIGHTSJulian Zelizer: Second term inaugural addresses are always a challengeHe says the public has had four years to make a judgment about the presidentObama can learn from second term speeches of Lincoln, Wilson, FDRZelizer says they did a good job of unifying America and sketching vision of the futureEditor's note: Julian Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton...

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French launches "total reconquest" of Mali's north

BAMAKO: French troops on Sunday consolidated gains in Mali's Islamist-held north as Paris said the aim was its "total reconquest" and Russia, Canada and Germany offered vital aid for the offensive.The French advance towards the jihadist strongholds came amid reports that the Al-Qaeda linked militants were abandoning some of their positions and converging on the mountainous region of Kidal,...

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Will brothers face off in Super Bowl?

Photos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos: NFL Divisional PlayoffsPhotos:...

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Officials: N.M. teen gunman kills 5 inside home

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. A teenage boy fatally shot two adults and three children inside an Albuquerque home, authorities said Sunday. The boy was arrested and booked on murder and other charges in connection with the shootings Saturday night, Bernalillo County sheriff's spokesman Aaron Williamson said. The victims' identities haven't been released, and the boy's motive and connection to the five victims...

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President Obama Sworn In for Second Term

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden today officially embarked on their second term, taking the Constitutionally mandated oath of office in two separate private ceremonies inside their homes.Shortly before noon in the Blue Room of the White House, Obama raised his right hand, with his left on a family Bible, reciting the oath administrated by Chief Justice John...

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