There's a way to dramatically cut the deficit -- by simply letting the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire. But President Obama has vowed not to raise taxes on most Americans, a pledge that would add billions to the deficit every year. And, fiscal watchdogs note, the "Bush tax cuts" would then become Obama's.

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Much of the scientific effort that has followed the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused on how much oil escaped and where it's gone. But many biologists say they're puzzled by the lack of an organized research effort to measure the damage.

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New York has the highest cigarette tax in the nation, but about a third of the cigarettes sold in the state aren't taxed because they're purchased online or at smoke shops run by American Indians. The state now hopes to collect sales tax on cigarettes sold to nonnatives on tribal lands.

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Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's visit to Italy last week has stirred controversy. His remarks on Islam angered church officials, while Italian politicians worry about Libya's growing clout in the Italian economy, as well as its human-rights violations.

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The 68-year-old Democrat has been mayor since 1989. He announced the decision Tuesday, saying it was "a personal decision, no more, no less."

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The attack appeared to be an effort to break into the facility, which is holding suspected members of a radical Muslim sect.

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The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Muslim holy book could put U.S. troops in the country in harm's way and inflame anti-Americanism.

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A judge denied an Obama team request that he lift his ban on federal stem cell research funding. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the Obama Administration overstated the amount of harm that would arise from his ban.

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Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, apparently defeated in her bid for another term in the Aug. 24 GOP primary -- she conceded the race last week -- may have a change of heart.  She is considering all options, including remaining on the ballot in some way.

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The suit came a day after Oracle hired Hurd as co-president to help lead the database software maker's efforts to steal business from HP.

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Millions of tourists and commuters bore the brunt of discontent over government austerity measures. Service was cut on trains, planes, buses and subways in France, while much of London's subway system was closed in the first of several 24-hour strikes planned for this fall.

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A small study of the active ingredient in "magic mushroom" found the drug helped relieve anxiety and improve the mood of some patients with advanced cancer. Though preliminary, the results support further research, the scientists say.

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It's been two months since our last review of the 37 Senate races at stake, and the news is less favorable for the Democrats.  And if the trends continue, the Republicans have a legitimate shot at capturing a majority; they need a net of 10.

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There's a way to dramatically cut the deficit -- by simply letting the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire. But President Obama has vowed not to raise taxes on most Americans, a pledge that would add billions to the deficit every year. And, fiscal watchdogs note, the "Bush tax cuts" would then become Obama's.

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Green building now accounts for close to one-third of new U.S. construction. That's up from 2 percent in 2005, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, which tracks the industry. The U.S. Green Building Council, and its LEED rating system, have changed construction practice -- and policy -- around the country.

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Much of the scientific effort that has followed the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused on how much oil escaped and where it's gone. But many biologists say they're puzzled by the lack of an organized research effort to measure the damage.

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President Obama wants to shift the political debate away from big versus small government and toward a discussion of whether or not the government works. Proving effectiveness requires more transparency, and the administration has used online tools to do that, but many Americans still await results.

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Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's visit to Italy last week has stirred controversy. His remarks on Islam angered church officials, while Italian politicians worry about Libya's growing clout in the Italian economy, as well as its human rights violations.

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The 68-year-old Democrat has been mayor since 1989. He announced the decision Tuesday, saying it was "a personal decision, no more, no less."

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Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has been in office since 1989 and who is set to break his late father's longevity record on Christmas, announced today he will not seek re-election in 2011.

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The Food and Drug Administration slammed Unilever, maker of Lipton teas, for touting specific health benefits from tea drinking, such as lowering cholesterol. The agency says the company's unproven claims would make the beverage a drug.

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The attack appeared to be an effort to break into the facility, which is holding suspected members of a radical Muslim sect.

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The costs of defensive medicine practiced by doctors guarding against lawsuits are real, but not nearly as high as some have claimed. Even so, it's probably worth trying to tame them, some policy analysts say.

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In the years after the U.S. invasion, a steady stream of Afghans living abroad came home to help rebuild their country. Then, security started to get worse. There were more suicide attacks and a general feeling of unease. Now, many Afghans living abroad wonder: Is it worth it?

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Lewis said the funds will allow the MDA to continue funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

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A small study of the active ingredient in "magic mushroom" found the drug helped relieve anxiety and improve the mood of some patients with advanced cancer. Though preliminary, the results support further research, the scientists say.

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Is there anything a president can do to escape widespread criticism? Get another job, perhaps. Historians say it's in Americans' DNA to turn on whoever is in the White House. We've been doing it since the beginning.

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The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan says a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Muslim holy book could put U.S. troops in the country in harm's way and inflame anti-Americanism.

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A wind-driven wildfire broke out in the rugged Colorado foothills and quickly spread across 5 1/2 square miles Monday, destroying some homes and triggering evacuations of as many as 1,000 others. No injuries were reported.

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There's a critical shortage of Afghan civil service workers in southern Afghanistan. In dangerous regions such as Helmand and Kandahar, the insurgency has gained strength because the Afghan government is either corrupt -- or not around.

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