Topic: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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How to draft a constitution

Egypt’s military has suspended the country’s Constitution and tasked experts with overhauling its fundamental law. Other countries in the region may also soon be in line for such a make-over. But not all constitutions are created equal. Here are six key issues to consider when starting from scratch.
Unemployment up? Not in these four maverick cities.

The US lost jobs in September and the unemployment rate remains at a high 9.6 percent, the US Department of Labor reported Friday. But some metropolitan areas are bucking the trend and adding jobs. By making everything from food to music and band instruments, these four metros have seen the biggest year-over-year decline in their unemployment rates. Is your city on this list?
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 08/09

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John Edwards trial: Defense rests without calling former senator or mistress

Defense lawyers concentrated on whether former US Senator John Edwards broke federal campaign finance laws.
Progress Watch
Why teen driving deaths have tumbled to historic lows

Traffic fatalities are hitting record lows for all drivers, but the drop among teen drivers is especially important, given that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.
Student loans: Do Republicans really think program is socialist?

President Obama said Friday that Republicans in Congress are calling federal student loans socialism. Republicans reject the charge. But the issue is highlighting political differences.
Student loans: Will Congress's remedy favor middle class over poor?

Student loans subsidized by the federal government will become more expensive soon unless Congress acts to keep interest rates low. But Pell grants, which benefit low-income students, also face cuts, analysts note.
Decoder Wire
Obama on Jimmy Fallon show: How did it go? (+video)

The president's political advisers must be fairly pleased. Obama, on Jimmy Fallon late-night show, both trumpeted his message about keeping college loan rates low and needled Republicans about it.
Decoder Wire
Obama slow jams the news with Jimmy Fallon. How does that work? (+video)

Start with a late-night funnyman. Add a president. Then, talk about something serious – Obama chose student loans – while Jimmy Fallon's house band, The Roots, lays down a rhythm. Punch it up. Laugh. Then, wait to see how Romney responds.
Student debt: How big a risk does it pose to the economy?

Student debt represents a financial challenge for America, some economists say, but in a way that's different from the big buildup in mortgage debt that led to a deep recession.
Decoder Wire
Obama slipping among young white voters

Obama won white voters ages 18 to 29 in 2008 by 10 percentage points over the GOP's John McCain, according to a recent Pew Research poll. He leads Mitt Romney among that group by only two points.
Student loans: Obama's bid to rekindle 'Yes We Can' among youths

Young voters aren't as enthusiastic as they were four years ago, meaning turnout could decline. So Obama is touring universities in North Carolina, Colorado, and Iowa to talk about student loans.
Modern Parenthood
Peer pressure is part of texting and driving – teens can’t say no

But teens should say no. Peer pressure, not wanting to ignore friends, leads to texting and driving. And a new study shows that 75 percent of young adults think there's nothing wrong with that.
President Obama vastly outspends GOP presidential campaigns

Obama has spent more than $135 million — more than GOP challengers Romney and Rick Santorum combined — on his re-election apparatus, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Election Commission records.
What US Army says about handling the Quran

This week's protests in Kabul, sparked by rumors that the US Army planned to burn Qurans, have raised questions about what US military teaches its soldiers about respecting Islam.
Global News Blog
Quran burning: What is the respectful way to dispose of Islam's holy book?

Thousands protested today the burning of Qurans and other religious texts at a US military base in Afghanistan. 
US Capitol suicide bomb plot foiled: How to catch a 'lone wolf'

The arrest of Amine El Khalifi, a Moroccan man suspected of plotting to blow himself up inside the US Capitol, shows how law enforcement has fine-tuned techniques to stop lone wolf terrorists.
Why Mitt Romney isn't worried about Rick Santorum, yet

Rick Santorum's wins in Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri aren't going to mean much unless Santorum can raise more money, says DCDecoder.
Home-grown terror threat receding, but post-9/11 America remains on edge

The number of domestic terror cases fell to 20 in 2011, down from 26 in 2010 and 49 in 2009, according to a study released Wednesday. Yet for much of the public, anxieties remain high.
Change Agent
Seeking justice for victims across borders

The nonprofit group CJA tracks down those who commit crimes in one country and flee to another – and hauls them into court.
Difference Maker
Gary White's goal: bring clean water to a billion people who lack it

Gary White cofounded Water.org with actor Matt Damon. His success secret: Making sure local people are deeply involved.
Anti-Israel speech should be protected, not banned, on American campuses

An Israel-based legal group has sent a letter to 100 university and college presidents asking them to crack down on anti-Israel abuse. Fair enough, except that anti-Israel speech – anger directed at a government – is protected by the First Amendment.
Why North Carolina vote to ban gay marriage might help Obama

North Carolina's Republican House could have put the gay-marriage ban on the November ballot, when it might have boosted the vote for President Obama's Republican challenger. Instead, the House scheduled it for May.
States must cut red tape to attract more qualified teachers

Rigid standards are shutting out aspiring teachers. States must evaluate potential teachers without traditional certification in ways that don't push needed talent away.
How does White House plan to fight US extremism? Locally.

The same kind of community mobilization and intervention that have successfully reduced gang-related crimes can work to address domestic extremism, the White House says.
Health-care costs: Debt talks boost Medicare reform plans

Health-care costs for seniors have been largely picked up by government. But their health-care costs could rise under various Medicare reform plans.
Thailand braces for hotly contested election [VIDEO]

Opinion polls suggest a strong win for the opposition after the Thai election Sunday. The military is unlikely to stage a coup, though it may try to use other means to thwart a PTP-led government.
Research universities a bad deal for taxpayers?

Bachelor's degrees from research universities are the costliest to taxpayers, a new study finds, while degrees from the most selective not-for-profit schools give back the most.