USA

from the June 17, 2008 edition

The Supreme Court ruled 5-to-4 Monday to ease rules for foreigners to try to stay in the US. The decision allows people in the country illegally to continue to make their case to immigration officials if their circumstances have changed.

McClatchy Co., the nation's third-largest newspaper publisher with 30 dailies, said Monday it will trim about 1,400 employees, or 10 percent of its workforce, in an effort to save $70 million a year.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said at a healthcare summit in Washington Monday that improving the performance of the US healthcare system is "without a doubt one of the most important challenges our nation faces."

US and South Korean trade envoys said Sunday that they'd temporarily broken off talks about American beef shipments but have agreed to find a solution to "technical issues" that have created a furor in South Korea.

Despite opposition from the land-based radio industry, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin recommended Sunday that the FCC approve a $5 billion merger of the nation's only two satellite radio broadcasters, Sirius and XM. He suggests some concessions, however, including a three-year price freeze for consumers.

San Francisco completed a planning proposal aimed at transforming 25 percent of city land devoted to streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces over the next decade or two. The idea is to turn streets, medians, and alleyways into ecological infrastructure by planting flowers and vegetables and creating green corridors.

"South Pacific" was the big winner at the Tony Awards Sunday night in New York's Radio City Music Hall, earning top honors as the best musical revival as well as six other awards. "In the Heights" was the best musical winner, and "August: Osage County" the best play. Above, Patti LuPone, best actress in a musical, performed a scene from "Gypsy."