Topic: Focus
All Content
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Focus Iran sanctions: playing the long game
Iran has endured three decades of US sanctions. Have they worked? Yes and no.
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Focus Are ballot initiatives broken? California offers clues
Do ballot initiatives put power in the hands of the voters, or are they another tool for special interests to dominate politics? California's experiences – both good and bad – make it an important laboratory for 'direct democracy.'
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Focus Election 2012: Ballot initiatives reflect nation's mood
The 174 propositions on state ballots point to evolving opinions on marijuana, same-sex marriage, health care, and more. Do the initiatives show the power of direct democracy or lack of legislative leadership?
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Focus Vladimir Putin 2.0: A harder, eastward-looking presidency
Vladimir Putin, once again in the Kremlin's top post, faces a far more divided Russia than he did during his first stint, and he's taking a more authoritarian line to match.
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Focus Anti-Putin opposition groups still finding their way
Despite the Russian opposition's ability to rally tens of thousands of protesters, it remains an eclectic mix of parties both left and right. Will opposing Putin be enough to keep them united?
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Focus Obama's new program for young illegal immigrants: How is it going?
More than 82,000 young illegal immigrants have applied for a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). But the November elections could be key to what happens next.
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Focus Election 2012: Can Democrats retake the House?
The Democrats 'drive for 25' is unrealistic as analysts predict Republicans will lose only 12 House seats in Election 2012. One GOP advantage: Conservative 'super PACs' will spend 'tens of millions.'
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Focus Election 2012: In Senate, a mighty struggle to maintain status quo
The battle for the Senate now looks like a standoff with neither Republicans nor Democrats likely to win the 60 seats needed for political control. Will partisan gridlock change after Election 2012?
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Focus Why China, Japan dispute islands once home to just albatross feathers and fish
Aside from national pride, ownership could give Japan or China control of oil and gas resources.
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Focus China and Japan face off: Tiny islands, big dispute (+video)
The China and Japan face off over five islands has sunk relations to a 40-year low - the worst since diplomatic relations began. But the sabre rattling is just for show, say analysts.
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Focus Can GOP survive its 'minority problem'?
Polls show that the GOP continues to be 'the party of old, white men' – and that could be decisive in the 2012 presidential election. Demographics suggest that the party must change, and soon.
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Focus Anti-Islam video clip spotlights difference in global free speech limits
If the makers of the film 'Innocence of Muslims' – a clip of which sparked violent protests across the region – were Egyptian, they could be imprisoned.
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Focus Middle East protests: Signs of hope, challenge for fledgling democracies
The amplification of extreme voices is one consequence of budding democracies in the Middle East, but citizens insist that those voices remain on the fringe.
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Focus Housing market turning a corner? Signs of hope for homeowners.
Rising home values and declining foreclosure rates indicate a slow but steady recovery for the US housing market. Obstacles remain, however, including negative equity due to 'underwater' mortgages.
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Focus Rise of the renter delays the dream of homeownership
More Americans seek low-cost rentals instead of homeownership in the post-crash housing market. Affordability is the main challenge with 42 million US households paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
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Focus Anti-Muslim video: What Muslim teachings say about retribution for blasphemy
Protests and riots broke out across the Middle East and Asia over the past week, rejecting an anti-Muslim video's portrayal of the prophet Muhammad. What does Islamic theory condone?
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Focus
Ted Williams: 9 quotes from the baseball legend
For the player who famously wore number 9, here are 9 quotes from the Red Sox player.
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Focus
Obama or Romney? Why 5 undecided voters are still on the fence.
The presidential election will be decided by a tiny fraction of American voters – those in swing states who have not made up their minds. What are these 1 million people waiting for? The Monitor talked to five undecided voters to find out.
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Focus Syria's rebel fighters vow no mercy for their own pro-regime family members
Free Syrian Army fighters told the Monitor that bringing down President Assad trumps family ties, and that they are willing to fight, or even kill, brothers and cousins fighting for the regime.
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Focus My daily commute - into war-torn Syria
With part of the Syrian-Turkish border firmly under rebel control, Monitor reporter Tom Peter was able to travel into Syria daily to report, returning to Turkey each night to file stories.
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Focus The uneasy normal of 'Free Syria'
The territory between the northern city of Aleppo and the Turkish border is firmly under rebel control, but aerial attacks from the Syrian Army leave residents far from safe.
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Focus Is top-ranked Massachusetts messing with education success?
Massachusetts public schools produce students who are top in the nation in reading and math. Here's what the state did to get there, and here's why its shift to the new Common Core standards worries some experts.
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Focus One tactic to shrink achievement gap: tackle 'summer learning loss'
Sailing, marine life, and field trips are part of a program to prevent a summertime loss of reading and math skills among low-income students in Boston. Its aim is to help close the achievement gap.
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Focus Lucha Libre: A spandex-clad campaign against obesity in Mexico
Mexico's health ministry has partnered with Lucha Libre wrestlers to fight obesity there. The campaign includes informational videos and weighing willing attendees outside of the junk food-centric events.
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Focus No gym membership, no problem in the Dominican Republic
Forget CrossFit. The most popular exercise class in Santo Domingo is a free hour-long group exercise session held in the middle of a closed park avenue, part of an effort to fight the nation's obesity woes.
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