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Hugo Chavez Misses Inauguration Day, But Supporters Fill The Streets

Credit Leo Ramirez / AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez remained in Cuba, where he's receiving treatment for cancer, and was not present for his planned inauguration in Caracas on Thursday. However, thousands of supporters gathered outside the presidential palace to show their backing.

Credit Juan Barreto / AFP/Getty Images

Chavez has been receiving cancer treatment since the middle of 2011. He's shown here at the presidential palace on Sept. 17, 2011, a few months after his treatment began.

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 5:26 pm

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Three Latin American presidents turned up, as did foreign diplomats. And thousands of President Hugo Chavez's supporters flooded the streets Thursday outside the presidential palace in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

But Chavez himself didn't show — he remained in Cuba, incapacitated after his latest round of cancer surgery.

Still, the carefully choreographed show did go on, and Chavez's aides said he remains in charge.

3:45 pm

Thu January 10, 2013

Graham Parker And The Rumour On World Cafe

Credit Courtesy of the artist

Graham Parker and the Rumour.

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 4:07 pm

More than 30 years have passed since the British band Graham Parker and the Rumour called it quits. While Parker never left music, he's always dismissed talk of a reunion with The Rumour — until now. The group is back with a new album, tour and high-profile film appearance.

Parker and The Rumour recorded and released their latest record, Three Chords Good, last year, and just wrapped up a handful of shows across Europe and the U.S. In addition to the album, the band also appeared as itself in Judd Apatow's latest movie, This Is 40.

3:28 pm

Thu January 10, 2013

Estimated Costs Drive Debate As Florida Weighs Medicaid Expansion

Credit J. Pat Carter / AP

Florida Gov. Rick Scott speaks in Fort Lauderdale in May.

By Greg Allen

Originally published on Thu January 10, 2013 5:26 pm

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Florida and several other states are wrestling with a decision: whether to expand Medicaid.

When the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act last year, the court said states could opt out of that part of the law. But it's key. It would provide coverage to millions of low-income Americans who currently have no health insurance.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott says he's concerned about how much expanding Medicaid would cost. But others charge the governor is exaggerating.

2:18 pm

Thu January 10, 2013

Crazy Or Canny? Talk Grows About $1 Trillion Platinum Coin

Credit Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

No, this isn't worth $1 trillion. It's a commemorative coin minted in the U.K. in 2008. But some have suggested the president's image should be on it if he orders up a $1 trillion coin.

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Fri January 11, 2013 12:15 pm

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We're pretty sure this won't happen.

But ...

You practically can't visit a news site these days without seeing a story about why President Obama should or should not order the Treasury Department to strike a platinum coin "worth" $1 trillion and deposit it with the Federal Reserve.

1:33 pm

Thu January 10, 2013

Families And Fat: What Can Help, What Can Hurt

Living with an overweight parent, child or spouse can be difficult. Loved ones who want to help a family member struggling with obesity may be hesitant to broach the subject for fear of causing shame or making matters worse.

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