The Cheney Branch of Government

On the same day that the CIA announced it will soon release hundreds of pages of once-classified documents that detail some of the agency’s most closely guarded — and controversial — secrets of old, it was revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney has been resisting even his own Executive Branch’s efforts to find out what kind of secret material his office has been stashing away over the last four years.

Share

The Outrage of South Africa’s Poor Threatens Their President, Jacob Zuma

South African President Jacob Zuma has a problem: the very underclass that swept him into office last April on his promise to deliver them a better life have run out of patience, and they’re venting their outrage on the streets. Little more than a year after the country’s impoverished black townships erupted in a wave of violence directed at migrants from neighboring African countries, tires are once again burning on the streets as crowds protesting the lack of resources in their communities clash with police in images sometimes reminiscent of the apartheid era. Recent weeks have seen a wave of angry and at times violent protests and strikes break out across the country.

Share

Brown defends UK fight in Afghanistan

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended the UK’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan following the British Army’s bloodiest day of the near eight-year conflict. Addressing lawmakers on Monday, Brown said the security of Afghanistan was crucial to preventing terrorist attacks elsewhere in the world

Share

Recession Hits Summer Camp: Parents Seek Deals on Fees

In the five years since Jed Dorfman has been running Camp Walt Whitman, a posh haven complete with waterskiing and private boats in Piermont, N.H., that charges as much as $9,450 for a seven-week stay, he has had to work out payment plans and extend deadlines to help one or two families. Until this year, that is

Share

First Comes Love, Then Comes Obesity?

It’s full-on wedding season, but anyone about to pledge to have and to hold should pay closer attention to the bit about “in sickness and in health.” New research shows that within a few short years of getting hitched, married individuals are twice as likely to become obese as are people who are merely dating.

Share