United States – News Stories About United States - Page 24

Forget the Flu: Guns Cause Far More Deaths

OPINION

Apr 29, 2009 8:56 AM CDT

Forget the Flu: Guns Cause Far More Deaths

As Americans load up on Tamiflu, shootings draw little notice

(Newser) - In the US and Mexico, a plague much more widespread than swine flu continues to pick off its victims, regardless of age, health, or hometown. "While federal and state authorities are preoccupied with preventing a swine flu pandemic from overwhelming the United States, the epidemic of gun violence rages...

Economy Shrinks Faster Than Expected
in 1st Quarter

Apr 29, 2009 8:13 AM CDT

Economy Shrinks Faster Than Expected in 1st Quarter

6.1% pace fueled by biz cutbacks, export drop

(Newser) - The US economy shrank at a worse-than-expected 6.1% pace at the start of this year as sharp cutbacks by businesses and the biggest drop in US exports in 40 years overwhelmed a rebound in consumer spending. Today's Commerce Department report dashed hopes that the recession's grip on the country...

Why Swine Flu Is
Deadlier in Mexico

ANALYSIS

Apr 28, 2009 12:22 PM CDT

Why Swine Flu Is Deadlier in Mexico

It may not be at all; it's probably a measurement problem

(Newser) - Why is swine flu deadlier on one side of the US-Mexico border than the other? Writing in Slate, David Dobbs examines some explanations as to why the virus has killed about 100 of 1,600 infected in Mexico, and zero of 300 in the United States. The best bet is...

Borders Tighten as
Swine Flu Deaths Hit 152

Apr 28, 2009 9:09 AM CDT

Borders Tighten as Swine Flu Deaths Hit 152

(Newser) - Countries are tightening borders and stepping up containment methods as the swine flu body count continues to rise, the New York Times reports. The disease is suspected in 152 deaths, all in Mexico; 50 US cases are now confirmed from California to New York City. Health officials in Japan and...

Pakistan President:
Bin Laden 'May Be Dead'

Apr 27, 2009 2:26 PM CDT

Pakistan President: Bin Laden 'May Be Dead'

(Newser) - Pakistan’s president suggested today that Osama bin Laden could be dead, an assertion the US strenuously objects to, the New York Daily News reports. “He may be dead. But that’s been said before,” Asif Ali Zardari said. “It’s still between fiction and fact.”...

Swine Flu Confirmed in UK

Apr 27, 2009 1:48 PM CDT

Swine Flu Confirmed in UK

Pair brings disease home from a trip to Mexico

(Newser) - Two British citizens have contracted swine flu, the virus that has killed at least 149 people in Mexico and sickened 20 in the US, the Guardian reports. The pair returned from a trip to Mexico last week and fell ill, the Scottish health minister said today. Seven others who had...

USDA Says Pork Is Safe to Eat

Apr 27, 2009 1:17 PM CDT

USDA Says Pork Is Safe to Eat

(Newser) - Fear of swine flu is a good reason to wash your hands, but not to take pork off the menu. Federal health officials say the virus that has triggered fears of a flu pandemic is not transmitted by food, and that all food-borne germs are killed when pork is cooked...

US Wants Informal Chat
on Cuba Ties

Apr 27, 2009 8:58 AM CDT

US Wants Informal Chat on Cuba Ties

Casual discussions could pave road to 'open relationship'

(Newser) - The US is inching toward loosening relations with Cuba on the heels of President Obama’s Latin American trip, the New York Times reports. Cuban diplomats are set to meet informally with US officials to “test the waters,” an administration official said, mulling future talks over migration, drug...

Iraq Spurns Baathists
Despite US Prodding

Apr 25, 2009 3:23 PM CDT

Iraq Spurns Baathists Despite US Prodding

(Newser) - Despite entreaties from Washington, Iraq’s majority-Shiite government is hardening its stance against the outlawed Sunni-dominated Baath party, the New York Times reports. Blamed by some for recent bombings of Shiites, Baathists are “filled with hate from head to toe," Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said this week, after...

CDC Prepares
Swine Flu
Vaccine

Apr 25, 2009 2:23 PM CDT

CDC Prepares Swine Flu Vaccine

(Newser) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared a seed stock of vaccine for the swine flu that has killed dozens in Mexico and infected a handful of Americans, Time reports. The CDC has not begun mass production of the vaccine, opting instead to see if the outbreak reaches...

Poll: US on
'Right Track'
for First Time
in 5 Years

Apr 23, 2009 5:48 AM CDT

Poll: US on 'Right Track' for First Time in 5 Years

48% are optimistic, up eight points in two months

(Newser) - For the first time in years, more Americans than not say the country is headed in the right direction, according to an AP poll. The percentage of Americans saying the country is headed in the right direction rose to 48%, up eight points from February, while 44% say the nation...

Clinton Threatens Sanctions
If Iran Won't Come to Table

Apr 22, 2009 12:23 PM CDT

Clinton Threatens Sanctions If Iran Won't Come to Table

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton said today that the US is “laying the groundwork” for sanctions against Iran if it doesn’t participate in nuclear talks, the BBC reports. The secretary of State said a rebuff of US overtures or continued enrichment would lead to a “very tough” response. Iran is...

Israel Yanks Ambassador
to Switzerland

Apr 20, 2009 7:51 AM CDT

Israel Yanks Ambassador to Switzerland

Outraged as Iranian, Swiss leaders meet at UN racism conference

(Newser) - Israel has angrily called home its ambassador to Switzerland after that country's president met with Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of a politically charged UN meeting on racism that began today, the Times of London reports. On Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day, Switzerland’s “guest of honor is a racist...

The World's Best Waterfalls

Apr 18, 2009 11:41 AM CDT

The World's Best Waterfalls

(Newser) - Waterfalls are a prime tourist destination, and for good reason. Travel + Leisure runs down a list of the “world’s most spectacular,” but check before you go. Visit in the wrong season and you’ll see just a trickle. And dams can turn off the spectacle in...

Obama Eases
Cuban Travel,
Remittances

Apr 13, 2009 3:30 PM CDT

Obama Eases Cuban Travel, Remittances

It bridges the gap between divided families: White House

(Newser) - President Obama officially announced new rules for Cuban remittances and travel today, lifting barriers implemented by his predecessor. The eased restrictions allow Cuban Americans to make limitless money transfers and trips to the island nation, the AP reports. It fulfills Obama’s campaign promise to bridge the gap between divided...

US Food Safety
Not Improving: Feds

Apr 9, 2009 4:02 PM CDT

US Food Safety Not Improving: Feds

CDC shows plateau in food sickenings over the last three years

(Newser) - The safety of the US food supply from disease or contamination has not significantly improved in recent years, the New York Times reports today. A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that occurrences of major illnesses from tainted food have held steady for the past 3...

US Seeks to Join
Nuke Talks With Iran

Apr 8, 2009 2:11 PM CDT

US Seeks to Join Nuke Talks With Iran

(Newser) - The US wants to be a direct party to nuclear talks between Iran and the UN, CNN reports. Washington had stayed away from earlier negotiations because it has no diplomatic relationship with the country, but the State Department said today it had asked an EU official to invite Iran to...

'09 Will Be Relatively Light
on Hurricanes: Forecaster

Apr 7, 2009 2:58 PM CDT

'09 Will Be Relatively Light on Hurricanes: Forecaster

(Newser) - The star forecasters at Colorado State University are revising their predictions for the 2009 hurricane season down due to cooler ocean temperatures, Reuters reports. Between June and December, the Atlantic will see 12 tropical storms, six of which may develop into hurricanes. Two of those hurricanes could blow harder than...

UN Split Over Response to
N. Korea Rocket

Apr 6, 2009 9:47 AM CDT

UN Split Over Response to N. Korea Rocket

Russia, China resist as US, Japan call for punishment

(Newser) - The US and Japan have hit international resistance as they push for a firm response to yesterday’s North Korean rocket launch over Japan, the Guardian reports. As the second day of emergency UN talks begins today, China and Russia aren’t backing a proposed statement condemning the move from...

Indian Suitors in US Lose Points With Women at Home

Apr 6, 2009 8:10 AM CDT

Indian Suitors in US Lose Points With Women at Home

Potential brides' families worry about recession

(Newser) - Indian guys who return home from the US to scout for brides are being met with skepticism instead of open arms, reports the Wall Street Journal. Eying the recession abroad, would-be brides and their parents are giving preference to local matches and even demanding to see tax returns from US-based...