Topic: United States
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Bestselling books the week of 5/19/13, according to IndieBound*
What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
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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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Bestselling books the week of 5/12/13, according to IndieBound*
What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
All Content
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Chapter & Verse 'The Great Gatsby': Why is it so hard to adapt for the big screen?
Noir guru Alan Rode ponders the challenges of filming the masterpiece.
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American Idol: The top two are named. Who went home? (+video)
On Thursday night, American Idol aired its final results show before the finale. Which two contestants managed to keep their dream alive for at least one more week?
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Terrorism & Security North Korea explains why it sentenced American Kenneth Bae to hard labor
Mr. Bae was detained and sentenced to 15 years in prison. North Korea today spelled out its charges, which include plotting to overthrow the government.
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Chinese roll their eyes at local footage added to 'Iron Man 3'
Chinese audiences were unimpressed by the movie's attempt to win them over by inserting a single extra scene set in China. In the future, experts say, Hollywood will have to be more innovative.
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Prince Harry begins US visit with Michelle, McCain, and moms
Prince Harry's first day in the US included a visit with McCain to a charity supported by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as events honoring military moms hosted by Michelle Obama.
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Convicted nun wants out: 83-year-old nun faces 20-30 years in prison
A nun, convicted of national security crimes after engaging in civil disobedience, has asked to be released from jail pending sentencing.
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78,000 to live on Mars: Have you signed up?
78,000 people have applied to live on Mars. Up to 3,000 will make the first cut, and the 28-40 finalists will spend seven years training before 4 finally get selected for a one-way trip to live on Mars.
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Ancient Arctic was warm, wet, and green. What that says about the future.
A 1,000-foot core sample taken from a lake in Russia's northeast Arctic documents a period when the region was 14 degrees warmer than today, but with similar atmospheric CO2 levels.
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China's growing military might: top 4 concerns for the Pentagon
In a report issued this week, the Department of Defense for the first time directly accused China’s military of using cyberattacks to spy on US networks. In this arena and others, “China’s military buildup shows no signs of slowing,” said David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for East Asia, who presented the report.Here are Pentagon officials’ top four concerns as they carefully monitor the growth of China’s military.
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Tunisian national is accused of seeking US visa to plot terror
Tunisian Ahmed Abassi is charged with making false statements on immigration documents in order to engage in 'projects' related to future terrorist activities, including recruitment.
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Jodi Arias case: What's trend line on women getting the death penalty?
Among male murderers in the US, a smaller share has been drawing the death penalty in recent years. That's not so, though, for women killers. How societal views may factor into sentencing in instances such as the Jodi Arias case.
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Energy Voices Why the US military should continue biofuel research
The sequester should not excuse the US military from making the important investments into the future, Holland writes. It is strategically important for the military to develop new sources of energy like biofuels.
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Stocks recede from record levels
Stocks fell from record levels Thursdays, with markets ending the day slightly lower. A decline in Americans applying for unemployment benefits failed to give stocks a boost.
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House prioritizes bills to pay if US hits debt ceiling. Is default averted?
The bill would allow the federal government to pay interest on the nation’s debts, even if the US does not raise the debt ceiling. But some say the effect would be different from what is envisioned.
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Pakistani fertilizer grows both Taliban bombs and Afghan crops
The Pakistani government is working with the US to make sure a key ingredient for bombs stays away from insurgents in Afghanistan, but that effort may be having an unintended casualty.
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Mike Jeffries wants no fat customers at A&F. Bad business?
Mike Jeffries, CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been accused by critics of excluding plus-sized customers from his stores. Unapologetically targeting thin, attractive customers is nothing new for Jeffries and Abercrombie, but can retailers afford to ignore a growing number of plus-sized shoppers?
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What does Facebook want with Waze?
Reports indicated that Facebook is in talks to buy Waze, an Israeli-based maker of GPS and mapping apps, for a whopping $1 billion.
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Latin America Monitor Move over Beyoncé: Another American explores Cuba, 'people to people'
Like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the Monitor's Linda Feldmann travels Cuba on a 'people to people' tour. Since 2011, such trips have had the sanction of the Treasury Department – a legal way for Americans to see the long-forbidden island.
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Minority report: 3 big trends in the Census Bureau's voting data
New census report shows rising numbers of minority voters, turning out at higher rates, just as the white vote is declining. For Republicans, demographics may be destiny, unless the GOP finds ways to adapt.
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Africa Monitor In fight against insurgents, Nigerian Army cracks down on civilians
Observers say that Nigeria's security forces are rounding up large numbers of young men under dubious claims they are insurgents. Many are never seen again.
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Opinion: Cleveland's Charles Ramsey: hero, or black stereotype?
What's behind the media and popular fascination with Charles Ramsey – the man who helped rescue three women held captive in the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro? It appears to be less because of his heroism than it is from amusement over a certain stereotype of a black man.
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Decoder Wire Benghazi whistleblower: Has diplomat Gregory Hicks suffered for speaking out? (+video)
Gregory Hicks told a House panel that superiors opposed his meeting with House investigators and his questioning of claims that the Benghazi attacks were 'spontaneous.' He was reassigned to a desk job.
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Boycott of Israel is small for now, but gets higher profile with Hawking
Many celebrities have ignored boycott appeals, such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Paul McCartney. Some academics say that the impact of the movement has been overstated.
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Culture Cafe 'Argo' producer David Klawans talks 'Coronado High,' his new project with George Clooney
George Clooney, David Klawans and Clooney's partner in Smokehouse Pictures, Grant Heslov, worked to get 2012 Best Picture winner 'Argo' to the big screen. Now, Klawans and Clooney are teaming up again for a new movie.
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Global News Blog It's Europe Day, but Europeans don't seem to know
With the very idea of a united Europe under debate amid the economic crisis, it's hard to find people who know what 'Europe Day' is, let alone celebrate it.
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