Topic: United States

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Spurs and Thunder star in NBA’s Western Conference Finals: 10 extra dimensions

The clash of the Spurs and Thunder in the NBA’s Western Conference finals may fly a bit under the national radar when it opens Sunday. Here are 10 factors that make this showdown intriguing.
Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads

Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years.
6 factors that will determine concessions from Iran

Can war with Iran can be avoided? In recent talks with the West in Baghdad, Iran showed some greater flexibility about its nuclear program. But Iran has a history of trickery in the nuclear arena. Whether Tehran will cooperates with Western demands depends on the following six factors.
Could 'fiscal cliff' push US into recession? Five questions answered.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned in a report Tuesday that if Congress does not deal with a raft of fiscal measures by Dec. 31, the US could enter another recession. So what is this fiscal cliff and what is Congress doing about it?

All Content

For some Iraqi war refugees, business is booming

Better security and infrastructure have created new opportunities for some of the 250,000 war refugees still living in Jordan.
Terrorism & Security
Secret accord sheltered Al Qaeda linked militants in tribal Pakistan

Wednesday, a US airstrike killed 11 Pakistani soldiers near the Afghan border.
USA
Johnson resigns post in Obama camp in flap over home loans

He'll no longer head vice-presidential search committee, a casualty of what DNC Chairman Dean had called 'a Republican-planted story.'
Johnson resigns post in Obama camp in flap over home loans

He'll no longer head vice-presidential search committee, a casualty of what DNC Chairman Dean had called 'a Republican-planted story.'
Health insurance falling short

A spike in the number of 'underinsured' adults since 2003 startles healthcare experts.
U.S. violent crime falls slightly

But national one-year averages mask better progress in big cities and a crime rise in the South.
ISPs take major step in curbing child porn

Three major firms agreed June 10 to purge images from their Web servers.
Letters to the Editor

Readers write about US withdrawal from Iraq, nationality in hockey, and balancing sports with academics.
Investing: Latin America bucks dour trends

Markets there produce healthy returns, but some analysts expect a correction.
Senate blocks Big Oil windfall profits tax bill

High-profile votes on the energy issue are likely to continue until the fall election, say lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Bright Green
Hybrid availability plunges as demand rises
Squeezing the most out of a gallon

As gas prices rise, clever drivers adopt new rules of the road.
A former fundamentalist examines the world of his youth
Shaky peace accord in Somalia

Monday, the government and an opposition bloc signed a UN-brokered peace deal. But Tuesday, Islamist hard-liners said they would continue to fight.
Zimbabwe's campaign of violence escalates

The international community seeks to influence the Mugabe government as Army leaders orchestrate political attacks.
Burma's (Myanmar's) elite help with aid

Business leaders, some under US sanction, are delivering relief supplies.
World
As Bush launches farewell tour, Europe warms up

The US-German relationship is perhaps the clearest example of improving ties since the Iraq war began.
Talks to keep U.S. troops in Iraq provoke ire

Proposal to extend America's military role years into the future meets lawmaker resistance, from Washington to Baghdad.
$79 million smoker case not over

The U.S Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear – again – a case in which Philip Morris is disputing the size of a damage award.
Older veterans now helping vets of Iraq and Afghanistan

Having 'been there' themselves, Vietnam veterans are better able to listen to and counsel younger vets troubled by their combat experience.
An Olympic hopeful as driven in his business as on the mat

Wrestler T.C. Dantzler, owner of a million-dollar company, is competing this weekend for a berth on the 2008 US Olympic Team.
Including special-needs children in class: Is it worth it?

Alex Barton's story is tragic. But the blessings are real.
It's Congress, not a king's court

Second-guess the president? Actually, yes.