Top Stories
Why Did Leaking Oil Rig Lack Safety Switch Used in Other Countries?
Oil-producing nations Norway and Brazil both require the use of a remote-control shut-off switch for offshore oil platforms—something the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as other drilling operations off the United States’ coasts, ... read more
As Somali Islamists Drive Out Pirates, What Happens to 360 Hostages?
Islamic rebels seeking to take control of Somalia have seized a key coastal village used by pirates, leaving the fate of some 360 hostages in doubt. Members of Hizbul-Islam entered Haradhere over the weekend, prompting pirates to flee the area. A ... read more
Baseball Players Begin to Speak Out against Arizona Immigration Law
Count professional baseball players and their union among the growing chorus speaking out against Arizona’s new immigration law. The law, which will require anyone stopped by law enforcement on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant to show proof... read more
High School Graduates Going on to College Hits Record Level
Rising costs of tuition are not discouraging high school graduates from going to college. New figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show 70% of individuals 16-24 years old who finished high school between January and October 2009 ... read more
Kill a Journalist and Get Away with It…The 12 Worst Countries
Some countries are not only dangerous for journalists to work in, but also make little effort to arrest and convict those who murder media professionals. As part of its 2010 Impunity Index, the Committee to Protect Journalists has drawn attention ... read more
10 Animals Most Threatened by BP Oil Spill
An oil spill of the magnitude currently in the Gulf of Mexico, brought about by BP’s recent offshore platform disaster, is never a good thing for a sensitive ecosystem. But the fact that the oil spill—currently dumping 200,000 gallons of crude a d... read more
U.S.-Trained Somali Soldiers Desert to Enemy over Unpaid Wages
Millions of American taxpayer dollars have been wasted trying to train Somalia’s ragtag army, as Washington officials try to shore up an isolated government surrounded by Islamic insurgents. The United States has spent $6.8 million since last year... read more
Mine Safety Administration Evacuates 3 West Virginia Mines
Massey Energy Co., owner of the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia that killed 29 workers in early April, was caught recently operating three other mines where safety rules were violated and miners had to be evacuated by inspectors for the Min... read more
How Goldman Sachs Made $100 Million a Day in a Flash
Some Wall Street critics believe Goldman Sachs’ list of alleged frauds should include the use of high-speed manipulative trading techniques, some of which may be deemed illegal in the near future by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Gold... read more
Wall Street Bets on Cities and States Failing
Some of the biggest financial players on Wall Street have been helping California’s government sell its general obligation bonds and municipal debt issuances—while at the same time betting against the very same bonds. By participating in credit de... read more
Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Limit Size of Three Biggest Banks
Bank of America, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase would have to sell off assets and shrink in size if new legislation introduced in the Senate becomes law. Democrats are pushing the bill in an attempt to rid the nation of banks “too big to fail” and... read more
Suicides by Veterans Average 18 a Day
An average of 18 veterans kills themselves each day, according to new statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, revealing the serious problem the nation has with caring for those coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.
About 950 ex-so... read more
Combat Veterans Find Military Service Can Hurt Job Prospects
Traditionally, Americans have gone out of their way to hire combat veterans, but the mood has shifted when it comes to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Unable to find work due to public concerns over what they’ve brought back from the wa... read more
Reps. Neugebauer and Himes Invest Big in Goldman Sachs
When it comes to investing in Goldman Sachs, two members of Congress stand far above the rest: Representatives Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) and Jim Himes (D-Connecticut). These are the only two lawmakers, according to OpenSecrets.org, whose Goldman ... read more
Families of 22 Americans Killed in Afghanistan Demand Investigation of Generals
Upset over the military’s unwillingness to punish higher-ranking officers for alleged mistakes, the families of 22 U.S. personnel killed in action in Afghanistan are demanding the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps provide more accountability for th... read more
Afghan Snipers Using Old Rifles Issued by CIA
American soldiers fighting in Afghanistan have been running into a new threat from the Taliban: snipers. For much of the conflict, troops have had more to fear from roadside bombs than being shot, thanks to the poor marksmanship of Taliban fighter... read more