Topic: Northern California

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World rankings: top 10 universities around the globe

Britain's leading higher education publication, The Times Higher Education, today released its 2012 reputation rankings for universities worldwide. Here is a list of the top 10.
In Pictures: Tribal land rights
In Pictures: Japan's 9.0 earthquake
Arizona shooting: Seven times politics turned to threats or violence last year

Saturday's shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) of Arizona wasn't the first time in recent memory that a member of Congress has been targeted for his or her views.
In Pictures: California storm

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Gay marriage: Judge overturns DOMA, stepping up pressure on Supreme Court

A federal judge struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which precludes gay couples from receiving federal marriage benefits. She is the third federal judge to do so, suggesting that the Supreme Court might need to step in soon to clarify its position.
Latin America Monitor
Look who got a US visa: Raúl Castro's daughter

Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuban President Raúl Castro, will travel to California this week on a US visa to attend a conference. But many Cuban scholars were denied entry, writes a guest blogger.
How to photograph Sunday's solar eclipse

On Sunday, May 20, the western half of the United States will be treated to a spectacular annular eclipse as the sun sets in the western sky.
Change Agent
Greek town creates its own alternative currency

Alternative currencies keep resources and economic systems close to home and have both a trickle-down and a ripple-out effect.
Diggin' It
Four unusual shade perennials to try

Light up a woodland garden with this quartet of unusual shade-loving perennial plants.
California fireball produces jackpot for meteorite hunters (+video)

Meteorite hunter finds pieces of a mini-bus sized meteor that lit up in the skies above California and Nevada this week. More pieces of the meteor are expected to be found as hunters scour the area.
Diggin' It
Tips for Japanese garden design

A trip to the San Francisco Botanical Garden provides good examples for designing a successful Japanese garden.
Humongous exploding fireball in sky probably a meteor, say scientists (+video)

For many people in Nevada and northern California, Sunday morning was disrupted by a sonic boom and a fireball streaking across the sky.
Japanese tsunami debris to hit West Coast this year, sooner than expected

A new estimate suggests that debris from the Japanese tsunami will hit US coasts this year, not next year as previously thought. Who will lead the cleanup is still being worked out.
Diggin' It
Dirr’s tree and shrub encyclopedia sets a new industry standard

Michael Dirr's new 'Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs' is a must-own book for serious gardeners.
The New Economy
Unemployment rate: Recovery leaves teens behind

The March unemployment rate fell slightly for all workers and women, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. For teens, unemployment rose. Why are fewer teens getting jobs?
As Starbucks rolls out plan to sell beer and wine, some buzz is negative

Starbucks is introducing beer and wine to its beverage list in select locations, calling it a response to consumer requests. But many café chain regulars say they fear a change to a bar atmosphere.
World rankings: top 10 universities around the globe

Britain's leading higher education publication, The Times Higher Education, today released its 2012 reputation rankings for universities worldwide. Here is a list of the top 10.
Change Agent
5 urban garden programs that train inmates and help communities

Prison gardening programs teach inmates valuable skills, reduce recidivism, and provide those in need with fresh produce.
Prop. 8: California's same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional

California's same-sex marriage ban, also known as 'Prop. 8,' has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.
Cover Story
The job-shifters: people who reinvent themselves mid-career

How many professionals are creating second careers in an unforgiving economy? Meet six who did it successfully.
'The Grey': Is film's portrayal of wolves as man-killers too dramatic?

Most North American wolves are exceedingly shy. But given starvation, territorial incursions and habituation with humans, attacks can – and do – happen. Wolf attack scenes in 'The Grey' nevertheless have drawn criticisms from animal rights groups.
Green Economics
California's high speed rail hits a speed bump

The head of California's multi-billion dollar high speed rail project has resigned, and the question remains: can the state really finance such a big project?
Air Jordans spark fights, vandalism and pepper spray incident (VIDEO)

Air Jordans went on sale Friday. Shoppers lined up all night to purchase the coveted sneakers, but in some states fights broke out and police made arrests.
Chapter & Verse
More books, more choices: why America needs its indies

Farhad Manjoo thinks corner bookstores are simply comfy and quaint. He couldn't be more wrong.
Mythbusters cannonball misses target, blasts through neighborhood

Mythbusters cannonball goes wrong: a cannonball shot for the television show Mythbusters missed its target, becoming a destructive juggernaut in a family neighborhood.
Harry Morgan remembered for TV's 'M*A*S*H,' as well as film roles

Harry Morgan didn't start out wanting to be an actor, but developed an interest in college. He eventually worked with some of the biggest names in film and TV.
Santa Ana winds: How the West was hit by hurricane-speed winds

Santa Ana winds combined with a storm system to produce 100 m.p.h. winds in California and other Western states. The science behind the Santa Ana winds and this storm.
Santa Ana winds: More high winds expected Friday (video)

Santa Ana winds left a path of destruction through California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and other Western states. More Santa Ana winds are expected Friday.
With players' lawsuits filed, hope barely flickers for an NBA season

'Months and months of legal wrangling' ahead dim prospects for any sort of 2011-12 NBA season, says one sports management expert. Two groups of players filed federal antitrust lawsuits Wednesday.