Reality check needed on immigration?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSHoward Kurtz: The mainstream media are rooting for immigration policy changesKurtz: Is enthusiasm causing the media to overestimate the prospects for reform? He says the Republican House has been a graveyard for numerous Obama reformsKurtz: Illegal immigration still arouses visceral opposition among some Americans Editor's note: Howard Kurtz is the host of CNN's "Reliable Sources"...

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Hadiya Pendleton's 'twin' describes death of best friend

The best friend of Hadiya Pendleton talks about the moments before her friend was shot in Chicago on January 31, 2013. (Heather Charles, Chicago Tribune) ...

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Explosion at Mexican oil giant Pemex headquarters kills 25

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A powerful explosion rocked the Mexico City headquarters of state-owned oil giant Pemex on Thursday, killing at least 25 people, injuring more than 100 and trapping others inside. The mid-afternoon blast in a neighboring building shattered the lower floors of the downtown tower, throwing debris into the streets and sending frightened workers running outside. ...

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German jitters hit European shares, euro

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares fell for a second straight day and the euro slid on Thursday, as weak German retail sales and poor earnings at its biggest bank added to investors' nerves after a shock fourth quarter contraction in the U.S. economy. Data on Wednesday showed U.S. GDP slipped back 0.1 percent, though the country's central bank, the Federal Reserve, indicated the pullback...

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2 NFL seasons since agreement, still no HGH tests

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Count Baltimore Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones among those NFL players who want the league and the union to finally agree on a way to do blood testing for human growth hormone."I hope guys wouldn't be cheating. That's why you do all this extra work and extra training. Unfortunately, there are probably a few guys, a handful maybe, that are on it. It's unfortunate. It takes away...

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Magnitude 5.3 quake 170 miles off Ore. coast; no tsunami danger, no damage reports

COOS BAY, Ore. – A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has been recorded about 170 miles off the southern Oregon coast. The National Weather Service‘s West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said there was no danger of a tsunami from the Tuesday evening quake.There were no immediate reports of damage. The U.S. Geological Survey‘s National Earthquake Information Center website did not immediately show any...

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BlackBerry must remember strengths

STORY HIGHLIGHTSBlackBerry sales have slumped in the U.S. but is still strong in emerging marketsNew models launched should remember why they are popular in developing worldIn places like Brazil and South Africa, the 10 is the update to their current phonein Sub-Saharan Africa there is expected to be 175 million new customers in the next 3 yearsWatch Jim Clancy on CNN International's "The Brief" at...

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Hawks' streak ends in 3-2 shootout loss

Blackhawks suffered first loss of the season. ST. PAUL, Minn. — For the first time this season, the only sounds in the Blackhawks'...

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Syrian rebels make slow headway in south

AMMAN (Reuters) - The revolt against President Bashar al-Assad first flared in Deraa, but the southern border city now epitomizes the bloody stalemate gripping Syria after 22 months of violence and 60,000 dead. Jordan next door has little sympathy with Assad, but is wary of spillover from the upheaval in its bigger neighbor. It has tightened control of its 370-km (230-mile) border with...

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Euro surges to 14-month high, Fed decision awaited

LONDON (Reuters) - The euro hit its highest level in over a year on Wednesday and shares, oil and metals were also on the rise, as confidence in the global economic outlook strengthened ahead of European data and the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest policy decision. The Fed is expected to maintain asset buying at $85 billion a month when it concludes its meeting later and retain its commitment...

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