Topic: United States

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Bestselling books the week of 5/19/13, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
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?
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.
Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
Bestselling books the week of 5/12/13, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.

All Content

The Monitor's View: Time to prepare for climate change

Weather patterns will transform over decades but planning must begin now.
Recessions expose financial scandals

Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme isn't the only scam uncovered during tough economic times.
YouthBuild: one stimulus model

The program has turned lives around and builds affordable community housing.
Worries rise about a currency crisis
EarthTalk: What is the ‘green cities’ movement?

Since 1970s, loose association of conservation-minded urban areas has grown up worldwide.
Electric cars charge ahead

At least nine major car companies promise plug-in vehicles by 2013.
Horizon highlights – New dimensions edition
The trash of life is Elias Sime's art

Ethiopian artist draws deeply on his local culture and love of community to tell stories with found objects.
Good-bye, privatization; hello, nationalization

The Monitor's language columnist observes how Americans seem to be losing (some of) their fear of a hitherto scary term.
Long-remembered heroism

A visitor finds unexpected solace in Normandy.
Regaining our confidence

A Christian Science perspective on daily life.
Bird seed prices soar

Why prices of bird seed are higher.
Pakistan tries to derail popular cross-country protest

Authorities arrested hundreds of lawyers and activists and banned public gatherings in two provinces.
Why Syria and Saudi Arabia are talking again

It's about Iran, Iraq, and Israel. The two foes planned to meet in Riyadh Wednesday to solidify Arab unity amid regional volatility.
Did 'Israel lobby' block Obama's pick for intelligence czar?

Charles Freeman, nominee for chair of the National Intelligence Council, blames pro-Israeli lobbyists for scuttling his nomination.
World
North Korea sets April time frame for satellite launch
How long can executions be delayed?

The Supreme Court denied the appeal of a Florida inmate on death row for 32 years.
Letters to the Editor

Readers write about the need for more graduate degrees in the United States, another way to share music on the Internet, and why Obama is not to blame for the state of the stock market.
Opinion: Reports of America's decline are greatly exaggerated

Here are six reasons why US economic clout will endure.
The Monitor's View: See Obama run with education

His heart may lie more in reforming public schools than energy or healthcare.
US urges a global economic fix

Ahead of the G-20 finance ministers’ meeting, Obama calls for allies to increase stimulus efforts – and meets a cool response.
Obama's New Deal is on a smaller scale

Its focus on smaller, shovel-ready projects precludes a grander vision.
China tries peddling its wares in ... China?

Chinese exports fell by 26 percent in February so China is now hoping to find domestic buyers for goods once bound for American shopping malls.
Has the US patent system gone too far?

Reformers push to limit what is protected.