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National and World News

Snow Paralyzes Federal Government

The heavy snow in the mid-Atlantic region has paralyzed Washington. The city has received record-setting snow, and the federal government has been closed as a result. Joe Davidson, the Federal Diary columnist for The Washington Post, discusses the work that's not getting done by the federal government due to weather.
First Lady Takes Aim At Childhood Obesity

First lady Michelle Obama launched Tuesday a nationwide campaign to fight childhood obesity, calling for more exercise for kids and healthier food in schools. She was joined by members of the president's Cabinet, as well as media, sports, entertainment and business leaders.
Doctor On Childhood Obesity

First lady Michelle Obama launched Tuesday a nationwide campaign to fight childhood obesity. Dr. Gail Nunlee-Bland, a pediatric endocrinologist and director of the Diabetes Center at Howard University Hospital, discusses the childhood obesity epidemic and her experience seeing and treating overweight patients.

Obama: U.S. Preparing 'Significant' Sanctions On Iran

The United States is developing a "significant regime of sanctions" after Iran apparently spurned an offer to negotiate over its suspect nuclear program, President Obama said. Obama said work to broaden economic sanctions applied by the U.N. Security Council is moving along quickly, but he gave no specific timeline.
Pakistani City Becomes Suspected Taliban Hot Spot

The sprawling Pakistani port city of Karachi has long attracted outsiders, among them tens of thousands of ethnic Pashtuns fleeing war in both Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan. The authorities in Karachi say the latest wave of migrants contains more than refugees.
Understanding Iran, 31 Years After Revolution

Feb. 11 marks the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. NPR's Mike Shuster and former Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns look back at the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, assess Iran's nuclear ambitions today, and weigh the Obama administration's options for responding.

If EU Countries Default, How Will the U.S. Be Affected?

Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."
Michelle Obama: Team Effort Needed to Halt Childhood Obesity

In an interview with Jim Lehrer, First Lady Michelle Obama said it's critically important for the future of the country to bring childhood obesity under control and encourage more physical fitness.
Iran Announces Plans to Increase Uranium Enrichment

Iran told the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency Monday that it would begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to 20 percent purity for a medical reactor, renewing calls from U.S., Russian and French officials for a tougher approach and unified action against Tehran.

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa dissolves parliament to set up early elections, a day after his main rival was arrested.
New acting president for Nigeria after months of uncertainty

Nigeria's Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan becomes acting president in place of ailing leader Umaru Yar'Adua.
Google takes on social network giants with launch of Buzz

Google takes the wraps off its latest social network - known as Buzz - pitting it directly against rival sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Obama meets with GOP, says can spur job growth (AP)

AP - Appealing for bipartisanship in a town where it's hard to find, President Barack Obama sat down with Democrats and Republicans Tuesday to spur cooperation on job creation, deficit reduction and health care overhaul. He promised to do his part — but warned he would take Republicans to task if they don't do the same.
Another major storm headed to snowy Mid-Atlantic (AP)

AP - Snow blew across the Midwest on Tuesday and headed for the hard-hit Mid-Atlantic region, where federal government offices have been closed since last week and utility workers struggled to restore power already knocked out by a weekend blizzard.
Iran boosts nuclear enrichment, drawing warnings (AP)

AP - Iranian nuclear technicians set dozens of centrifuges spinning Tuesday to begin enriching uranium stocks to a significantly higher level, prompting President Barack Obama to warn of a "significant regime of sanctions."