Topic: Houston (Texas)

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Evolution of the NFL: 16 ways the game has changed

Forty-seven years after the first Super Bowl was played in Los Angeles before a less-than-capacity crowd, let’s look back at some of the ways the NFL has changed.
NFL playoff thrill-a-thon: Flacco’s fling, Kaepernick’s runs; Falcons' escape. A Week 19 quiz

A wild weekend of NFL playoff action results in a pair of brothers coaching for conference championships. To test your knowledge of NFL playoff developments, take this 12-question quiz.
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
Six ways fleet operators save on gas (and you can, too)

While you may long for $2 gas, the truth is that higher prices – in the $3 to $4 a gallon range – are the new normal. Here are six money-saving tips, used by fleet operators, to save money on fuel:
Baseball 2012: The game's best off-beat, under-the-radar statistics and trivia

Fascinating baseball firsts and notable statistics can easily be missed in the playing of more than 2,000 big-league games each year. Here are the most intriguing developments that possibly escaped your notice.

All Content

IHOP sues IHOP for trademark infringement

IHOP, the International House of Pancakes, is suing IHOP, the International House of Prayer, for trademark infringement.
UAL, Continental shareholders approve airline merger

The $3 billion airline merger of UAL and Continental would create the world's largest airline.
Mortgage rates: Top 5 cities to catch the wave of low rates

Mortgage rates are at or near record lows nationally. But which major cities offer the best deals on mortgage rates?
Key to school dropouts: Knock on their door

School officials and volunteers in Houston have been knocking on the doors of students who didn't show up at the beginning of the school year, offering ways for them to get their diploma. As a result, the dropout rate has fallen significantly. This could be a model for other school districts.
A virtual world that breaks real barriers

In Second Life's Al-Andalus, a virtual world patterned after medieval Andalus in Spain, avatars of Muslims mix with avatars of Jews and Christians to strive for a more perfect union.
Mars a 'dead' planet? Its water history may suggest otherwise.

Carbon and water isotopes found in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere of Mars tell scientists that the red planet may not be dead after all.
Trapped miners should not smoke or drink, according to NASA

Trapped miners: A NASA team advised officials to remember even after the miners are rescued, the road to psychological recovery is not over.
Trapped miners impress NASA team

Trapped miners are similar to astronauts – held in confined spaces under dangerous conditions – so NASA sent scientists to the site of the Chilean mine collapse to advise officials there.
Opinion: Election 2010 surprise: rise of black Republicans

The Republican Party has fielded more than 30 African-American candidates this year, renewing a historic alliance.
Mariner Energy oil rig fire extinguished, no sign of oil spill in Gulf

An oil rig run belonging to Mariner Energy caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday. The Coast Guard has now refuted earlier reports of an oil sheen on the water.
Top Chef contestants compete to make astronaut meals

Sept. 1 episode of Bravo's reality show, 'Top Chef', featured a space-food challenge from NASA. The winner, Angelo Sosa, will have his short rib dish flown into orbit.
Oil rig explosion: Is oil leaking from Mariner Energy rig near Vermillion Bay?

Oil rig explosion reports are so far unclear about whether a Mariner Energy facility south of Vermillion Bay has caused an oil leak. The rig is in shallow water, and no injuries are confirmed.
US and Iran face off – at World Basketball Championships

The US and Iran set aside controversy over Iran’s nuclear program to play a World Basketball Championships match that featured NBA players including Hamed Haddadi of Iran.
Oil rig explosion off Louisiana coast

Oil rig explosion was west of the site of the April explosion that caused the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil rig explosion was reported by a commercial helicopter flying over the area Thursday morning. All 13 people aboard the oil rig have been accounted for.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 09/02
Hurricane Katrina anniversary: Can New Orleans' new mayor revive the city?

Mitch Landrieu wasn't mayor of New Orleans when hurricane Katrina hit. But he is now, and at the five-year Katrina anniversary, residents are looking to him to move the city forward.
China gains ground in battle over Ghana's offshore oil

The Aug. 18 announcement that Exxon Mobil will not purchase a stake in Ghana's offshore oil fields opens the door for China, which is setting a new standard for how to woo Africa's petrol powers.
Top 5 worst US cities for traffic

Looking to get somewhere in 15 minutes? It's not likely in one of these five US cities. The Texas Transporation Institute's (TTI) 2009 Urban Mobility Report, a national report using data from 2007, documents the annual number of hours motorists spent stuck in traffic. ABC News reported that the total amount of time Americans wasted in traffic in 2007 from the TTI study was 4.2 billion hours. That works out to nearly one full work week, or vacation week if you want to look at it that way, for every traveler. Some cities saw some traffic improvements. But if you're planning to move to one of the top 5 worst US cities for traffic, you might want to stock up on your books on tape, travel snacks, and invest in satellite radio – chances are you'll be spending some "quality" time in your car.
Why many Pakistani-Americans aren't sending flood donations home

Many Pakistani-Americans say they are reluctant to donate to Pakistan flood relief efforts because they think their money will only line the pockets of a government they see as corrupt.
Baby sitters too costly? Check out rates in these Top 10 sitter cities.

Are affordable baby sitters hard to find? These 10 cities have lots of baby sitters with rates as low as $10 an hour.
Robonaut 2 has 'no relation to Boba Fett' says NASA

Robonaut 2, a humanoid robot headed to the International Space Station, is a 'friendly robot' and has nothing to do with the villainous 'Star Wars' bounty hunter, say NASA officials.
Obama's Cairo speech yields fruit in Damascus, a year later

President Obama's Cairo speech in June 2009 opened the door for a flurry of grass-roots diplomacy that supporters hope will lead to broader rapprochement.
Obama as ATM: Democrats want him as fundraiser, not campaigner

As the election season ramps up in August, President Obama is putting on his fundraiser hat, attending $30,000-a-plate dinners but not spending much time campaigning for candidates.
Michigan oil leak polluting Kalamazoo River; Governor declares disaster area

Michigan oil leak is not on the same scale as the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But it is causing concern in southern Michigan.
Space shuttle layoffs for some contract workers

Space shuttle layoffs, effective Oct. 1, involve 902 workers in Florida, 478 in Texas and 14 in Alabama.