The Two-Way
7:48 am
Sat May 25, 2013

School Bus Fire Kills 15 Children In Pakistan

Credit Mohsin Raza / Reuters /Landov
A relative of one of the children who died after a fire on a school bus, cries over the coffin, on the outskirts of Gujrat.

A fire onboard a school bus left at least 15 children dead in Pakistan Saturday morning.

The New York Times reports the private school bus caught fire near the town of Gujrat, when the driver tried to switch from using gasoline to natural gas.

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The Salt
6:30 am
Sat May 25, 2013

Gals Who Grill: What Will It Take For Women To Man The Q?

Credit iStockphoto.com
Ladies, why are we letting the menfolk dominate the grilling?

There's a lot of innovation in grilling — everything from fancy briquettes to gadgets that help grill veggies to perfection.

But according to survey data from the NPD Group, one thing that's not changing is who's firing up the grill.

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National Security
5:55 am
Sat May 25, 2013

Obama Keeps Distance From Torture Debate, At Least For Now

Credit Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
President Obama delivers a speech on national security Thursday at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington.

Originally published on Sat May 25, 2013 7:02 am

In his national security speech Thursday, President Obama discussed drone warfare and the Guantanamo detention camp. But a third controversial issue went largely unmentioned: the use of interrogation methods that are tantamount to torture.

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The Two-Way
5:55 am
Sat May 25, 2013

Gnomes Crash Distinguished Garden Show In England

Originally published on Sat May 25, 2013 7:02 am

Gnomes marched their way into one of England's most prestigious gardening events this year. The 100th annual Chelsea Flower Show, which ends Saturday, opened its gates to the flower-friendly creatures for the first time.

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Europe
5:55 am
Sat May 25, 2013

War Of Words: France Debates Teaching Courses In English

Credit Jacques Demarthon / AFP/Getty Images
On Thursday in Paris, demonstrators protest against a measure to teach more university courses in English.

Originally published on Sat May 25, 2013 7:02 am

Will teaching English in France's universities undermine the French language? That's up for debate in the country now, and the arguments are heated.

The lower house of the French Parliament approved a measure Thursday that would allow courses to be taught in English, something that is currently against the law.

Those in favor of the proposal say it will attract more international students and improve English language skills of French students. But opponents say the move will only impoverish and marginalize the country's tongue.

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The Deadly Tornado In Moore, Okla.
5:55 am
Sat May 25, 2013

'Please, No More Clothes': Okla. Asks For Monetary Donations

Originally published on Sat May 25, 2013 7:02 am

The tornado that devastated much of Moore, Okla., has drawn loads of donations from across the country: food, clothing, medical supplies, toys. Much of it is needed by the victims, but not everything.

After every disaster, relief groups usually ask for one thing: money. But writing a check or texting a donation isn't always that satisfying for those who want so desperately to help.

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Parallels
5:55 am
Sat May 25, 2013

In India, More Women Are Playing Matchmaker For Themselves

Originally published on Sat May 25, 2013 7:02 am

In India, some of the most entertaining reading on a Sunday afternoon is found in the classified ads. Page after page, the matrimonial section trumpets the finer qualities of India's sons and daughters.

Parents looking to marry off their children often place ads such as this one: "Wanted: Well-settled, educated groom for fair, beautiful Bengali girl, 22, 5'3"."

The matrimonial ads are a hallowed tradition in the quest to find a life partner — part of the institution of matchmaking that is as old as the country itself.

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The Two-Way
7:44 pm
Fri May 24, 2013

Court Rules That Arizona Sheriff Engages In Racial Profiling

Credit Joshua Lott / Getty Images
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (right) attends a rally for the Tea Party Express in 2010.

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 8:29 pm

A U.S. district court has ruled that Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's department has violated the rights of Latino drivers by racially profiling them as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration and issued an injunction to halt the practice.

The decision on Friday marks the first time that the hard-line Maricopa County sheriff's office has been found to be engaging in systematic racial profiling.

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It's All Politics
7:08 pm
Fri May 24, 2013

Obama's Terrorism Fight Is Colored Gray, Not Black And White

Credit B.K. Bangash / AP
Protests like this one in 2010 in Pakistan in part led President Obama to recalibrate when U.S. officials will order drone strikes, as part of a nuanced policy.

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 7:15 pm

It's difficult for an American president to govern through nuance, especially when it's necessary to persuade a majority of the people that certain actions are essential for national security. And effective persuasion usually requires clarity.

That's how you arrive at President George W. Bush's stark formulation "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists" after Sept. 11, and much of what sprang from it.

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The Two-Way
6:57 pm
Fri May 24, 2013

Toronto Mayor: 'I Do Not Use Crack Cocaine'

Credit Nathan Denette / Associated Press
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford at a city council meeting on Tuesday.

Originally published on Fri May 24, 2013 7:25 pm

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he doesn't smoke crack cocaine and isn't an addict, in response to a video that surfaced recently purporting to show him using the illegal drug.

Last week Ford called the cellphone video obtained by The Toronto Star "ridiculous" and blamed the newspaper for "going after me."

Friday's comments from Ford were more emphatic.

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