Inauguration 2013: Obama faces a daunting 4 years as he takes the reins for second term

Barack Hussein Obama took the presidential oath at 11:55 Sunday morning in a small ceremony at the White House, gripping the reins of office for another four-year term and a chance to build on his already historic legacy — though unlike the beginning of his first term, he now faces a divided Congress capable of thwarting him.

Second time no charm for presidents, history shows

As President Obama embarks on another four years in office, he is mindful that history is littered with the wreckage of presidents' second terms.

Four years after Obama's signature promise, Gitmo is still open

It was one of Barack Obama's marquee campaign promises in 2008: Close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which would erase a terrorist recruiting tool and a black spot on America's human rights record.

'Far Right' report outrages critics of federalism

A West Point think tank report that links people who believe in individual freedom with violent "far right" movements has stirred strong opposition from conservatives and former members of the military.

Senators say Obama's proposal for gun control has little support

Republican senators Sunday indicated that little support exists on Capitol Hill — even among some Democrats — for the ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips called for in President Obama's gun control initiative.

Ravens upset Patriots 28-13 to reach Super Bowl

Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday for the AFC championship.

CURL: The besmallification of the presidency

President Obama came in with big promises. But he turned out to be a small man.

Death toll from Algeria standoff expected to rise

The four-day standoff between al Qaeda-linked terrorists and the Algerian military at a natural gas plant in the remote Sahara desert ended over the weekend with at least 23 hostages dead, including at least one American, out of more than 130 foreigners and several hundred Algerians held hostage by the extremists.

Homeless people in park along inaugural parade route forced to move

A dozen or so people, many homeless, regularly camp out in and around a small D.C. park between the Canadian Embassy and the federal courthouse a short walk from where President Obama takes the oath of office Monday.

Obama administration eases path for 'Dreamers' to get behind the wheel

The Obama administration says that illegal immigrants who qualify for its new non-deportation policy are now "considered to be lawfully present" in the U.S. — a legal status that could help them to get driver's licenses.

Federal court upholds Wisconsin union limits

A federal appeals court on Friday upheld Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's contentious law stripping most public workers of nearly all of their collective-bargaining rights in a decision hailed by Republicans, though it does not undo a state court ruling keeping much of the law from taking effect.

Inside the Beltway: Mustering through inauguration depression

Got inauguration depression? It'll only last another 24 hours or so. In the meantime, here's advice on passing the time from Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

49ers head to Super Bowl, beating Falcons 28-24

Make way Joe Montana and Steve Young. Colin Kaepernick is leading a brash new group of 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Gun-rights rallies in all 50 states take aim at restrictions

Gun-rights advocates pulled off a coordinated 50-state protest over the weekend with little time and even less money, but their adversaries in the gun-control movement were unimpressed.

Islamists flee Malian town after French airstrikes

Burned-out vehicles and scattered bullets dotted the streets of a central Malian town after radical Islamists retreated following days of French airstrikes, according to video obtained Sunday.

Syrian airstrike kills at least 7 near Damascus

Syrian government troops battled rebels in several areas outside Damascus on Sunday while regime warplanes bombed opposition-held areas around the capital, including an airstrike on one village that killed at least seven people, activists said.

Commentary

ALLARD: Who leaked the Stuxnet virus attack on Iran?

Because of the looming conflict with Iran, Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination to be secretary of defense has attracted wide attention. Yet Senate Republicans may have a chance to advance their own national security agenda by zeroing in on John O. Brennan, President Obama's choice for CIA director.

MCKINLEY AND GRIFFITH: Obama coal regulations crippling communities

The war on jobs and affordable energy is real and continues to pick up steam with a swarm of new regulations coming out of President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency contributing to more mine closures and plant shutdowns across the country.

DRIESSEN: Obama's wishful thinking on green energy

Wishful thinking guides today's federal energy policymakers. The Obama administration is now exploring ways to exert control over hydraulic fracturing technology that has increased U.S. petroleum production -- despite federal leasing and drilling delays and moratoriums -- even though the states have successfully regulated the practice for decades.

MILLER: Tax dollars for gun control

The directives on gun violence President Obama signed Wednesday were meant to seem harmless. A closer look at the president's first memorandum reveals it to be a sneaky assault on congressional authority in order to fund gun-control propaganda.

EDITORIAL: The hidden burden of regulation

Americans cashing their first paychecks of the year are starting to feel the pain. Higher taxes in the "fiscal cliff" deal are just the beginning of the extra cash Uncle Sam will be collecting in 2013.