United States

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Want Paid Vacation? Ditch America

But those lucky Austrians get 153 days off per year

(Newser) - Here's a depressing statistic: A quarter of Americans don't get paid vacation—and the US is the only wealthy country that doesn't guarantee it. We're also the only one without a promise of a paid day off for official holidays, observes the Center for Economic Policy...

US Kids Seriously Sleep-Deprived

Experts say smartphone use at night may contribute to sleep deprivation

(Newser) - The US has the most sleep-deprived pupils in the world, and the late-night glow of smartphones and laptops is probably contributing to a lack of slumber. A study out of Boston College finds that US students are sleep-deprived at a rate almost 30% higher than the international average, with 73%...

US, EU Start Shopping for Massive Free Trade Deal

Hope to start talks by June, but big issues could loom

(Newser) - The United States has 20 free trade pacts ranging from big neighbors to tiny allies, but today Washington set its sights on a far grander prize: the entire European Union, reports Reuters . The two powers announced that they hoped to start talks on a free trade deal by the end...

North Korea Posts Video Fantasy of US in Flames

Set to Michael Jackson's 'We Are the World'

(Newser) - If you think North Korea harbors a not-so-secret desire to obliterate the US—while backed by a Michael Jackson song—you'd be sort of correct. The country's official website uploaded a truly bizarre YouTube video on Saturday in which a slumbering man dreams of a rocket blasting a...

UN to Investigate US, UK Drone Attacks

Critics say drone strikes hit civilians, violate int'l laws

(Newser) - In the face of mounting criticism about US and UK drone strikes , the United Nations is going to investigate the use of drones in targeted killings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia, reports the Guardian . The investigation will look at drone strikes in Mali and those made by Israel into...

White House to Texas: No, You Can't Secede

Texas, 7 other states told they're staying in the union

(Newser) - White House to Texas: You're staying in America. The Obama administration has officially rejected a petition signed by more than 125,000 people demanding that the Lone Star State be allowed to leave the union, the Houston Chronicle reports. Similar petitions from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South...

Guns Driving Down Life Expectancy in America

Violence not more common in US, but is more deadly

(Newser) - With six violent deaths per 100,000 people in the United States, by far the highest rate among the world's richest countries, the prevalence of guns—especially unsecured guns—in America is lowering its life expectancy rate, according to a new report by the National Research Council and the...

New US Population: 313.9M
 New US Population: 313.9M 
Dec 20, 2012 1:11 PM CST

New US Population: 313.9M

That's up less than 1% as growth remains flat

(Newser) - The US Census Bureau now pegs the US population at 313.9 million people, up a scant 2.3 million, or .075%, from last year, reports USA Today . Small as it is, the increase actually reverses five years of slowing growth, notes the AP , though we're still at a...

Euro Court Slams CIA for Sodomy, Torture of Innocent

Meanwhile, Senate committee OKs report on CIA's interrogation program

(Newser) - The European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday against Macedonia for allowing the torture of an innocent German man of Lebanese origins by the CIA in 2004—but the real brunt of the ruling hit the CIA's post-9/11 "war on terror" strategies, with the court explicitly calling them...

Now All 50 States on Secession Bandwagon

And more from the group leading Texas' charge

(Newser) - An online Texas petition to secede from the union is nearing 100,000 votes now, giving the group leading the charge its 15 minutes. Politico interviews Texas Nationalist Movement leader Daniel Miller:
  • On Obama: Election Day "was a catalyzing moment," but this isn't just about the president.
...

Iran Calls for Nuclear Ban at Summit

Nation hailed as 'cradle of peace, justice'

(Newser) - Just as the West is accusing Iran of stepping up preparations to develop nuclear weapons, the nation's foreign minister yesterday called for a ban on nuclear arms at a conference of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran, reports AP . "We believe that the timetable for ultimate removal of nuclear...

Fast Food Far Saltier in the US
 Fast Food 
 Far Saltier 
 in the US 
study says
Apr 22, 2012 4:54 PM CDT

Fast Food Far Saltier in the US

Same products contain less salt in Europe, Australia

(Newser) - If you're craving some Chicken McNuggets, you're better off getting them in Europe than on this side of the pond. With 1.6 grams of salt per 100 grams of nugget, the American version is packed with more than twice the salt of British McNuggets, which contain 0....

Which Country Believes in God Most?

The Philippines, but the US is high on the list

(Newser) - If religion were a contest, the Philippines would be winning. A whopping 94% of people in the Philippines believe in God, making it the most faithful country on the planet, or at least, among the 30 countries included in a new University of Chicago study. But almost all the nations...

Turkey Closes Syria Embassy
 Turkey Closes Syria Embassy 
Mar 26, 2012 10:27 AM CDT

Turkey Closes Syria Embassy

And agrees with the US to provide 'nonlethal' aid

(Newser) - Turkey shut down its embassy in Syria today, and plans to join with the US to provide “nonlethal” aid to Syria's rebels. White House officials tell the New York Times that the two nations will provide things like communication equipment and medical supplies directly to opposition groups, and...

Obama, Cameron: US-Britain Partnership Is Essential

President, prime minister celebrate alliance in op-ed

(Newser) - Barack Obama and David Cameron tout the "special relationship" between the US and Britain in an op-ed for the Washington Post today, writing that the countries' joint efforts have built "the institutions that undergird international peace and security." They note their partnership in a variety of areas:...

Guess Which State Americans Hate Most?

If you said 'California,' pat yourself on the back

(Newser) - Americans are generally pretty positive, or at least indifferent, about these United States. Public Policy Polling asked 1,200 people how they felt about each of the 50 states, and only five were viewed more unfavorably than favorably. America's favorite state, by an overwhelming margin was Hawaii, while its...

27 Young Men Shot Dead in Syria

Is the US considering arming the rebels?

(Newser) - Some 27 young men were shot dead when Syrian troops raided three villages in the northern province of Idlib, a human rights group said today. The latest bloodshed came as US officials appeared to open the door to arming the rebels if a political solution to clashes can't be...

15 Oddball US Town Names
 15 Oddball US Town Names 
Feb 12, 2012 1:43 PM CST

15 Oddball US Town Names

One-way ticket to Toad Suck, please

(Newser) - There are so many towns in the great expanse of the United States that a few of them are bound to have absurd names. ( The little Irish town of Effin isn't the only spot struggling with a name that makes us say, "Huh?") BuzzFeed runs down...

Israel Warns Jewish Targets Around World of Iran Threat

Sabre-rattling means extra precautions even at schools and synagogues

(Newser) - Israel is warning its facilities in the US and around the world, as well as Jewish targets in general such as synagogues and schools, that they could be in danger from Iran, reports ABC News . "We predict that the threat on our sites around the world will increase …...

US Starts Talks With Taliban
 US-Taliban Talks Stumble 
update
Jan 29, 2012 4:49 PM CST

US-Taliban Talks Stumble

Afghan fighters oppose cease-fire proposed by Washington

(Newser) - Long-rumored talks between the US and Taliban officials just got started and are already faltering, MSNBC reports. Meeting in Qatar, Taliban representatives balked today at Washington's demand for a cease-fire before negotiating a prisoner swap. "Our stance is the same. We will announce a cease-fire when the...

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