Topic: Political Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Test your Gangnam style?
Pop music sensation Psy has taught his signature horsey dance to everyone from the UN’s Ban Ki-moon to Britney Spears. But how much do you know about the artist?
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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes
Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
How the tables have turned: The Internal Revenue Service is the one under the microscope now, as revelations emerged Friday that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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3 priorities for Pakistan's new government
After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
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Five ways to improve Obama's pre-k plan
President Obama’s Preschool for All plan is well intentioned but includes features that are not justified by research and won’t help it pass in Congress. The plan must make the following five adjustments.
All Content
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Tax VOX How immigration policy impacts budget projections
If Congress allows more people into the United States, our population, labor force, and economy will all get bigger. With immigration policy up in the air, the economy's trajectory will be difficult to predict.
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Olive Press Saudi Arabia sanctions sports for girls for the first time
The move only applies to private schools, perhaps as a test of social receptivity before a possible expansion to public schools. But it's still worth cheering for.
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For Obama, Costa Rica offered rare 'safe bet' trip
Costa Rica's strong tradition of democracy and longtime friendship with the United States ensured President Obama would enjoy a smooth – if uneventful – trip this weekend.
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Republicans pursue probe of Benghazi attacks, name witnesses for hearing
Witnesses at a May 8 hearing 'have critical information' about terrorist attack that killed the US ambassador and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, last year, says Rep. Darrell Issa. He says others might testify if they can overcome fear of retaliation by superiors.
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As NRA meets, Great Gun Debate intensifies America's culture war (+video)
Both sides in the debate over gun policy are indulging in stereotypes and name-calling, fueled by a distrust bred from previous culture war fights. As the NRA convention continues this weekend, are red and blue America really so far apart?
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Veteran US diplomat appointed new special envoy to Afghanistan, Pakistan
Secretary of State John Kerry has appointed James Dobbins as the new special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dobbins will face challenges negotiating with the Taliban, and on questions of US drone strikes.
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Obama blames drugs for part of US-Mexico problems (+video)
Obama blames drugs for undermining US-Mexico ties. President Barack Obama argued deepening economic ties in Latin America would help the US control illegal immigration, and Latin American countries control drug and gang violence.
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Boston bombing fallout: US moves to close security gap on student visas (+video)
Student visa snafu involving a Kazakh friend of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston bombing suspect, prompts US to beef up security checks. Will the episode undermine chances for comprehensive immigration reform?
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Philly abortion trial changes tone of national debate
The trial against Doctor Kermit Gosnell, who ran a Philadelphia inner-city abortion clinic and is charged with killing five people, has forced abortion supporters on the defensive and has energized anti-abortion activists.
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Frozen pizza: Plastic shards in CPK pizza trigger recall (+video)
Frozen pizza: Plastic shards found in California Pizza Kitchen and DiGiorno frozen pizza. One consumer reported a chipped tooth on plastic after biting into a California Pizza Kitchen pizza.
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Caroline Kennedy selling 93 acres on Vineyard. A new Kennedy neighbor?
Caroline Kennedy is selling two parcels of land for a total of $45 million on Martha's Vineyard. Anyone want to be a Caroline Kennedy neighbor?
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$900,000 per inmate: World's most expensive prison (+video)
$900,000 per inmate makes Guantanamo Bay the world's most expensive prison. That's 13 times the cost of a super max inmate. Is $900,000 per inmate worth it to US taxpayers?
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Why Charles Larsen will be staying out of the market
The California-based investor won't be putting money in stocks again until the economy recovers – which he says it patently hasn't done.
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Social media and disasters: When a small post can spur hope
When social media is used during disasters, it can save lives and ease communities.
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Homeland security orders new student visa checks
A student from Kazakhstan, allowed to return to the US in January without a valid student visa, is accused of hiding evidence in the Boston Marathon bombing case. On Thursday, Customs and Border Protection ordered new checks for student visas.
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Sarah Palin: Chewing tobacco is her latest prop (+video)
Sarah Palin chewing tobacco? Speaking at the NRA annual meeting, Sarah Palin pulled out a tin of chewing tobacco to tweak NYC Mayor Bloomberg for his proposed ban on displaying tobacco products.
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'Palestine' finds a new home as Google follows 'lead of the UN'
The Internet search giant Google said it was 'following the lead of the UN' in changing its references from 'Palestinian Territories' to 'Palestine.'
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Top 5 bull markets since 1929
The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
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Why America's top general is wary of US military intervention in Syria
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Monitor-sponsored breakfast he has doubts about whether US military action in Syria would achieve three key aims.
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Are Indian-Pakistani relations in jeopardy after prisoner death?
A Pakistani prisoner in an Indian jail was attacked and seriously injured in a tit-for-tat assault one day after the death of an Indian man in a Pakistani prison.
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Tax VOX Tax reform: how to fix the international tax mess
Corporate tax reform is impossible without addressing international issues, Gleckman writes. Yet, this corner of the tax law is not only immensely complex but most proposed solutions inevitably run into massive political and policy roadblocks.
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Decoder Wire NRA 'Stand and Fight' convention: Political big guns will be there (+video)
The NRA's annual convention begins Friday, and the theme this year is 'Stand and Fight.' In the line-up to speak to the 70,000 attendees: a host of likely 2016 GOP presidential hopefuls.
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Latin America Monitor Obama in Mexico: Little talk of human rights (+video)
The US has noted Mexico's 'significant human rights-related problems' in the past, but some say it and the Mexican government haven't done enough to encourage change.
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Terrorism & Security US and Britain consider arming Syrian rebels (+video)
The bar is set high, but the US could begin providing body armor, night-vision goggles, rifles, and other basic arms to Syria's rebels.
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Incursion or fair play? Chinese, Indian troops face off along disputed border.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's choice of India as his first foreign trip seemed to signal a fresh turn between the rivals. But both sides' troops are waving the flag on disputed turf.
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