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Russia arrests US diplomat accused of spying

A young US diplomat at the embassy in Moscow was arrested by Russian authorities on allegations he was spying and seeking to induce a senior Russian official into betraying his country for cash.
Opinion 3 priorities for Pakistan's new government

After 14 years, Nawaz Sharif is back at the helm in Pakistan. The nuclear-armed country faces a welter of problems, from terrorism to tensions with Afghanistan, India, and the United States. To move Pakistan forward, Mr. Sharif must focus on three priorities.
Texting and driving: Cell rivals join campaign about dangers of own product

Cell phone companies are banding together in an ad campaign that aims to educate teens and adults on the dangers of texting and driving.
Terrorism & Security Syrian rebel's video surfaces amid intensified pressure for action on Syria

The gruesome video shocked the international community. With concerns about arming the rebels, attention is turning to greater humanitarian aid as a way to help in the increasingly violent war.
Why wind farms kill eagles with federal impunity

Oil companies are prosecuted when a bird drowns in a waste pit. But the Obama administration has never fined or prosecuted a wind-energy company for similar protected bird deaths. An estimated 573,000 birds are killed by US wind farms each year.
Obama bemoans partisanship at Democratic fundraiser

While raising money to pay off the DNC's debts from his 2012 campaign, President Obama said he had hoped his election (or re-election!) would end partisan stalemates.
Officials seize AP's phone logs: What are they looking for?

The Associated Press is now in the news as well as covering it: Justice Department officials secretly obtained two months of telephone records from AP reporters and editors.
US and Britain cling to diplomacy as way forward on Syria (+video)

At the White House, the US and British leaders called talks with Russia 'very constructive,' but Obama cautioned that given 'what we’re seeing in Syria, it’s very hard to put things back together.'
IRS tea party scandal is 'un-American' and a 'travesty,' lawmakers fume

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are vowing to hold people accountable and explore legislative changes to ensure the IRS mends its ways after singling out tea party and other conservative groups.
Tax VOX IRS was wrong to target Tea Party. What about other political groups?

The IRS shouldn't have targeted the Tea Party, Gleckman writes. But the unsavory IRS actions should also shine a light on the law that gives tax-exempt status to political groups of all ideological stripes – not just the Tea Party.
Smash canceled: NBC's new line up announced

Smash cancelled: In addition to Smash, the other NBC shows cancelled include the newsmagazine "Rock Center," the Matthew Perry comedy "Go On" and "The New Normal," ''Up All Night," ''Guys With Kids," ''1600 Penn" and "Whitney."
Editorial Board Blog A better way to talk about guns in America

Tragic events such as Sunday's Mother's Day parade shooting in New Orleans will fuel the debate over gun control in America, even if legislation is stalled. For a more productive conversation, what if we shelve policy debate and focus on understanding why people hold the views they do?
Terrorism & Security A flurry of diplomacy over Syria, but will it amount to progress?

There is concern over a Russian missile shipment to the Assad regime, but cautious optimism persists in some Western capitals over a planned international conference on Syria.
Travels with mother: In search of the world

Anne D'Innocenzio has traveled with her mother since she was a little girl. But at 80-something, her mother, ever fearless, is beginning to slow and told her that her traveling days are coming to an end.
West Wing evacuated: Smoke from a transformer prompts action

West Wing evacuated: An electrical transformer in the West Wing started smoking Saturday morning, triggering an alarm. President Barack Obama and his family were not affected by the overheated equipment or the West Wing evacuation.
Two car bombs in Turkey: Is Syria conflict spreading?

Two car bombs in Turkey, near the Syrian border, killed some 40 people, and injured 100, say local officials. If the explosions turn out to be linked to Syria, it would be the biggest death toll in Turkey related to its neighbor's civil war.
Why Prince Harry meets US vets in Colorado (+video)

Britain's Prince Harry, a veteran combat helicopter pilot, met Saturday with military vets competing in the Paralympic-style Warrior Games in Colorado.
IRS apologizes for targeting tea party. Should heads roll? (+video)

IRS apologizes that its bureaucrats trolled for groups with names that included 'patriot' and 'tea party' before last year’s election in order to take a closer look at their tax status. Tea party groups want workers fired.
USA Update IRS apologizes for singling out conservative groups: How did it happen?

The IRS acknowledges it gave additional scrutiny to the tax-exemption applications of conservative groups. Top Republican lawmakers are calling for a White House investigation into the agency.
Team Obama edits to Benghazi talking points: the smoking gun?

The White House refused to concede on Friday that the administration's edits to a set of 'talking points' about deadly attacks on a US compound in Benghazi, Libya, were more than cosmetic. That is debatable.
As Pakistan goes to the polls, many see a key milestone

This is the first time in Pakistan's 66 years that a democratic government has been able to complete its tenure without being toppled by the military. But change is slow, say analysts.
Student loans: Could GOP, White House strike a compromise on interest rates?

The interest rates set for student loans expire July 1 – one year after Congress took action. Now, there’s a growing desire to come up with a longer-term plan.
Energy Voices Struggling at home, US coal finds markets overseas

Coal companies in the US have been unable to compete with natural gas at home, Alic writes, but overseas this coal market is getting hotter by the minute.
Change Agent Detroit calls on its Do-It-Yourself Department

A growing number of volunteers, some affluent, some just average guys riding their Toros, perform services, such as mowing the parks, that Detroit can no longer afford.
Decoder Wire Why does Prince Harry make Washington swoon? (+video)

Prince Harry, making a visit to the US, interrupted a congressional hearing without attending it. Even Michelle Obama sounded a tad breathless announcing his appearance at a White House Mother’s Day tea.