Noted
Hundreds of local government have passed ordinances banning the creation of new cul-de-sacs.City planners say these dead ends --very popular during the suburban boom of the 1960s-contribute to traffic congestion by making it impossible to drive through residential neighborhoods,forcing all cars onto major thoroughfares.
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
U.S. authorities last year doled out $19.7 million to Iragis in "condolence payments" for civilian injuries and deaths due to American military actions--up from $5 million the year before. Officials said the increase reflects more urban combat,as well as a greater willingness among Iraqis to come forward to claim compensation.
The New York Times
The New York Times
Applications for U.S. citizenship are surging because immigrants are worried that Congress will pass a law making it harder to enter or stay in the country.Immigrants filed a record high 251,385 citizenship applications between January and April,an 18% increase over the same period last year.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Among the gifts President Bush has received from world leaders are an $8,500 marble statue of Hercules from Italy's Silvoi Berlusconi,vintage firearms from Jordan's King Abdullah valued at $12,000,and a wooden Laligue cigar humidor from France's Jacques Chirac worth $2,895.Gifts worth more than $305 are the property of the government,though Busn can purchase them at market value.
The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times
Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling,convicted in June of conspiracy and fraud has already paid his lawyer about $40 million.But he still owes "multiple tens of millions of dollars," says lead lawyer Daniel Petrocelli. Skilling is now asking the government to release $60 million in personal assets that were frozen when he was indicted in 2004.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The average American now has just two close friends,a new study has found.One in four people say they have no close friends.Sociologist say we are becoming more isolated because of suburban migration,long work hours,and the growing amount of time spent on the Internet,ipods,and other electronic devices.
USA Today
USA Today