Topic: University of Maryland

Change Agent
Number of volunteers in US hits highest level since 2005

More than one-quarter of Americans did volunteer work in 2011, providing 7.9 billion hours of service worth $171 billion. Utah led among states. Iowans responded to their governor's call for volunteers.

Decoder Wire
Pearl Harbor resurrection: the warships that rose to fight again (+video)

The attack on Pearl Harbor 71 years ago left a tangled mess of burning and shattered warships. But in 'one of history's greatest salvage jobs,' many of the sunken ships rose to fight the Axis.

Opinion: Fiscal cliff: Republicans on wrong track if they help Obama raise taxes on the rich

Higher taxes won’t much improve US finances and would likely wreck the economy. But as fiscal cliff talks intensify, a small group of Republican senators are prepared to help President Obama make the rich pay more – facts notwithstanding. A better approach: Spur private-sector growth.

Maryland moving to Big 10 Conference. Rutgers next to join?

The University of Maryland announced Monday that it's moving to the Big Ten. It's widely expected that Rutgers will join them on Tuesday.

The Twinkie: Will it return as a Mexican expat?

Hostess Brands is liquidating its business after 82 years, which means some of the most iconic brands of the century may be up for auction. Will Twinkies become a foreign import?

Focus
Surging storms: Can the US adapt in time to avert coastal damage?

Damage from severe storms such as Sandy is likely to escalate by the end of the century as the population grows and people continue to build along the Eastern Seaboard.

Opinion: Mitt Romney's flip-flopping didn't hurt him (+video)

The Obama campaign labeled Mitt Romney a flip-flopper. But Romney's position shifts did little to fundamentally harm his election prospects. Obama only narrowly defeated Romney, and election day results closely mirror projections from June – before Romney’s move to the middle.

Youth vote not as fired up as in 2008. Could that trip up Obama?

Voters under 30 gave President Obama his margin of victory in at least three states in 2008. In a close race, he'll need the youth vote on Nov. 6 more than ever. But it's not clear he'll get it in the numbers he needs.

Opinion: To fight Taliban, US must give Afghanistan schools

President Obama and Mitt Romney both pledge to leave Afghanistan in 2014. But neither discussed the importance of establishing schools for the children of a war-torn nation where nearly half the population is under the age of 15. The Taliban are most scared of books, not bombs.

New York City: Police officer dreams up cannibalism plot (+video)

Gilbert Valle, a suspended New York City police officer has been charged with getting too close to carrying out his dreams of cannibalizing women. The judge in the case,  U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman, described the charges as "profoundly disturbing."

Physics Nobel goes to quantum theorists

Frenchman Serge Haroche and American David Wineland shared the prize for work involving photons. 

US, French scientists awarded Nobel Prize in physics (+video)

David Wineland and Serge Haroche will share this year's Nobel prize for their work in quantum physics.

Focus
Obama's new program for young illegal immigrants: How is it going?

More than 82,000 young illegal immigrants have applied for a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). But the November elections could be key to what happens next.

Focus
Election 2012: In Senate, a mighty struggle to maintain status quo

The battle for the Senate now looks like a standoff with neither Republicans nor Democrats likely to win the 60 seats needed for political control. Will partisan gridlock change after Election 2012?

How can GOP steal young voters from Obama? Jobs.

In a shift, Republicans at their national convention are showcasing young voters. They acknowledge that President Obama has the cool factor. But they think they can woo young voters – many of whom are out of work – with jobs.

Maryland school shooter facing attempted murder charges

The victim, a fellow high school student, remains in the hospital Tuesday morning. Police believe the shooting was a random act.

Looming 'fiscal cliff' is hurting US economy now, economists warn

Memo to Washington: Don't wait until after the election to resolve the 'fiscal cliff' facing the nation on Dec. 31. Uncertainty about taxes and spending is already harming the US economy, risking a new recession, some economists say.

For young illegal immigrants, a day of hugs, smiles, joy ... and qualms

Young illegal immigrants began applying Wednesday under Obama's miniature DREAM Act, which offers exemption from deportation for at least two years. There was rejoicing among them, but also apprehension.

Opinion: Help wanted: Geek squads for US cybersecurity

The now-dead Cybersecurity Act of 2012 included provisions to beef up a federal workforce of experts to defend against cyberattacks. But it's not too late. Wisely, federal agencies are not waiting for legislation to build their cyber geek squads. Still, more steps must be taken.

Olympic moms: 13 mothers compete for Team USA

The “Celebrating Moms” series of commercials by Proctor & Gamble during Olympic coverage is a tear-jerking ode to sacrifices mothers make to support their kids’ athletic careers. But what about athletes who are mothers, themselves?

Elite athlete moms have the same run-of-the-mill work/life balance as the rest of us. But these 13 Olympic moms do put parenting – both its challenges and rewards – in a new perspective.

Nearly half of North America's aerosols come from Asia, Sahara

Nearly half of the tiny particles found high in the atmosphere over North America come from foreign lands, with 88 percent of that coming from Asia.

Distracted walking: Smartphone-wielding pedestrians stumble into danger

On city streets, in suburban parking lots and in shopping centers, there is usually someone strolling while talking on a phone, texting with his head down, listening to music, or playing a video game. The problem isn't as widely discussed as distracted driving, but the danger is real.

Beef recall hits Northeast states

Beef recall involves Hannaford and other retailers whose customers bought ground beef in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. So far, ground beef recall targets 85 percent lean beef sold in late May and the first half of June. 

Who's the real 'outsourcer in chief'? Why Obama, Romney both shoulder blame.

The trend of outsourcing US jobs predates either President Obama or Mitt Romney, but both have contributed to it in different ways, according to one economist. 

Students set new human-powered helicopter flight record

A team of University of Maryland engineering students built a human-powered helicopter that flew for 50 seconds, getting close to the 60 seconds required to win the $250,000 Igor Sikorsky Prize.