Latest News and Politics from the U.S. - Huffington Post [June 2011 Bulletin]

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Read the Latest News and Political events from US. Get the most read news and happenings in the United States and the world through The Huffington Post.




Manufacturing Hits 20-Month Low In May Due To Energy Prices

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in May at the slowest pace in 20 months, the latest sign that a sharp rise in energy prices is hampering economic growth.The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said Wednesday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 53.5 percent in May from 60.4 in April. While that marked the 22nd straight month of growth, the slowdown was the biggest since 1984. Any reading above 50 indicates growth.More...

Source: Manufacturing Hits 20-Month Low In May Due To Energy Prices

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A startling new study suggests that iodine deficiency, the most common cause of brain damage worldwide, could be rampant in the UK even though it is one of the easiest and least expensive nutrient disorders to prevent according to the World Health Organization .Writing in the journal The Lancet, researchers reported that 70 percent of UK girls age 14-15 could have a deficiency of iodine, which is essential to maintaining thyroid hormone function and occurs naturally in seawater and soil.More...

Source: Iodine Deficiency Could Spell Big Problem For UK

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I have lunch at least once a week with a fellow named Fred Hayman, usually at his regular table at Spago, which is next door to the Canon Drive office building in Beverly Hills owned by Mr. Hayman (which bears his name on the top in distinctive red script against a yellow background.) If we don't eat at Spago, we'll dine at my regular table at Nate 'n Al's Deli (that's a joke). What's not a joke is that Mr. Hayman was honored this week by the City of Beverly Hills and the Rodeo Drive Committee with the 15th Annual Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Award. In the world of fashion, this is a big deal. Previous winners have been Grace Kelly and Cartier, Valentino, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Tom Ford and Giorgio Armani. They even honored designer Edith Head, who did all the costumes for my W.C. Fields & Me film.More...

Source: Mr. Beverly Hills, Fred Hayman, Honored... and His Biography Is Published

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Sunday, June 5 is World Environment Day (WED) -- what better way to celebrate the environment than by planting a forest in this year's host country, India?When I was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment (UNEP) program at last year's WED in Rwanda, I had the privilege of participating in the WED Legacy Initiative. For every activity registered, $10 was contributed to gorilla protection in the host country.More...

Source: Let's Plant a Forest

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CBC -- A Progressive Conservative election promise to enact a one-year waiting before new Ontario arrivals can collect welfare could cost the province millions in federal transfer payments.Included in the Ontario Tories' platform unveiled last week is a plan to make welfare applicants "show a promise to Ontario" by living in the province for a year before they are eligible. Ontarians will go to the polls in an Oct. 6 provincial election.More...

Source: Tory Welfare Wait Period Could Be Costly

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Why would a reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have anything to say about the steps that Europe is taking to reduce carbon pollution from aviation?  The answer should be nothing.  But unfortunately the US Senate is considering language passed by the House of Representatives that would signal unhappiness with Europe’s efforts to control the carbon pollution from aviation.  The Senate and the White House should reject this language as it is incorrect as a matter of law, would attempt to stop another country’s efforts to reduce carbon pollution, and would hamper incentives to enhance aircraft fuel efficiency which saves consumers money.  A point recently highlighted by major environment, development, and faith-based groups in a letter to the Senate. When the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the FAA  they included a provision (H.R. 658, sec. 511) which would seek to undermine Europe’s efforts to control carbon pollution from aircraft that land and take-off in Europe.  When the Senate passed its FAA reauthorization bill (S.233) they didn’t include such a provision and it appears that such language was never considered or debated.  But now the two bills must be reconciled and there is the possibility that the Senate will agree to include the language in the final bill.More...

Source: Congress Should Not Try to Stop the Europeans From Controlling Aviation's Carbon Pollution

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(JAKE COYLE, AP/THE HUFFINGTON POST) NEW YORK -- The "Jeopardy"-playing IBM computer Watson has been named person of the year by the Webby Awards.The Webbys, which honor Internet achievement, announced their special honorees Thursday.More...

Source: IBM Watson Wins Webby For 'Person' Of The Year

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Anderson Cooper unveiled the website and logo for his new daytime talk show on Thursday.The show, which is called "Anderson" and which will be filmed in the Time Warner Center, debuts on September 12.More...

Source: Anderson Cooper Unveils New Talk Show Website (PHOTO)

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Don't. Mess. With. The. Mail.With rotating strikes now underway at Canada Post, that's Sandy Racicot's feeling about it all.More...

Source: Canada Post Strike: Why Snail Mail Still Matters To Many Canadians

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On May 26, the Supreme Court upheld the Legal Arizona Workers Act of 2007.  Now any business in the Grand Canyon State that knowingly or intentionally hires undocumented workers can lose their business license.  If they are caught with a second offense within three years, they can be shut down.  The law also requires employers to use E-Verify to check whether prospective hires are authorized to work.As an attorney and firm believer in the need for comprehensive immigration reform, I found the Court's decision troubling.  It signals that states can continue to experiment with anti-illegal immigration initiatives.  Eight states already have laws similar to Arizona's Legal Worker Act.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this year there have been 279 bills in 44 states focusing on penalties for businesses that hire illegal immigrants.  But a patchwork of local immigration laws on is no substitute for a coherent national policy.More...

Source: Supreme Court Misses the Mark on Legal Arizona Workers Act