How tough are the times in the USA?

Life in an American Tent City

In Nashville and other cities, tent communities have sprung up and are being tolerated by officials, and even provided with portable toilets and trash pick-up services.

Good magazine has a photo essay that makes Nashville's tent town look borderline livable.

Monkey Found Guarding Dead Couple

Police are trying to figure out what happened to two people who were found dead Saturday in an Orlando, Fla., home, surrounded by dozens of pets, including dogs, cats, birds and four exotic monkeys.

Full Story

UBS to name 5,000 accounts under US deal

The deal initialled last week between the United States and Switzerland over UBS will involve the disclosure of around 5,000 holders of secret Swiss accounts, weekly newspaper NZZ am Sonntag said on Sunday.

Full Story

Iran's Ahmadinejad set to name three women ministers

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he will nominate three women to join his new cabinet, a move that could produce the first female ministers in the country in over 30 years.

Iran's Ahmadinejad set to name three women ministers

Actor's U.S. 'detention' sparks outrage in India

Though U.S. immigration officials denied he was formally held, fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country.

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Humiliating may not be the correct term but the actions of the TSA were totally uncalled for. Just because his name 'sounds' 'Muslim' is no reason to detain him ... however reason is not a strong suit among the troglodytes of the TSA - neither is intelligence nor discernment.

Patients reveal diabetes impact

People with type 2 diabetes often live with a range of other problems, such as sexual dysfunction and anxiety about further complications, a poll shows.

Patients reveal diabetes impact

Obama gets emotional in health care talk

The president speaks with a rare bit of emotion about the loss of his grandmother "Toot."

Obama gets emotional in health care talk

Also:

• Obama: Old Faithful 'pretty cool'
• WH appears ready to drop 'public' option

Venice hotel mistakenly offers 1-cent weekend

The website for a four-star hotel gives an unbelievable deal to more than 200 people.

Venice hotel mistakenly offers 1-cent weekend

Also:

• Overrated U.S. tourist destinations
• Find the biggest business blunders

Man trades in Maserati for 'clunkers' cash

The frustrated owner of an unreliable Maserati accepts $3,500 in taxpayer money as part of the Cash for Clunkers program.

Maserati for 'clunkers' cash

Also:

• Video
• Find info on the Maserati Biturbo

In America, Crazy Is a Preexisting Condition

The tree of crazy is an ever-present aspect of America's flora. Only now, it's being watered by misguided he-said-she-said reporting and taking over the forest. Latest word is that the enlightened and mild provision in the draft legislation to help elderly people who want living wills -- the one hysterics turned into the "death panel" canard -- is losing favor, according to the Wall Street Journal, because of "complaints over the provision."

Good thing our leaders weren't so cowardly in 1964, or we would never have passed a civil rights bill -- because of complaints over the provisions in it that would enslave whites.

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No Trickling Down as The Rich Get Richer

An updated study from UC Berkeley economist Emanuel Saez shows that the wealthiest 10% of Americans now have a larger share of total income than ever ... in records going back to 1917. This percentage is even larger than during the Roaring Twenties, the last time the US saw such similar income inequality, just prior to the Great Depression

Full Story

US man who swam to Aung San Suu Kyi's house leaves Burma on visiting Senator's plane

A U.S. man sentenced to seven years in jail for sneaking into the home of detained Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was handed over to an American consular official on Sunday to be flown out of the country.

Full Story

Tropical storm watches issued as Ana races west

Tropical storm watches were issued Saturday for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and parts of the Leeward Islands and Netherland Antilles as Ana raced west through the Atlantic.Tropical Storm Bill, the second storm of the Atlantic season, formed farther east and forecasters said they expect it to become a hurricane over the next several days.

Full Story

Rumors swirl over missing cargo ship

The mystery over the location of a missing freighter — and the fate of its 15 crew members — deepens after a ransom demand is reportedly made.

Rumors

Also:

• U.S. considers arming ships
• Fishermen overpower pirates

Bollywood star: I was detained at U.S. airport

One of Bollywood's top stars says he was detained for hours at a New York-area airport, but U.S. customs officials dispute his claims.

Bollywood star: I was detained at U.S. airport

Also:

• Find pics of Shah Rukh Khan
• Top U.S. acting school seeks Indian talent

California firefighters tackle tough terrain

Residents are urged to leave as crews struggle to control a dozen wildfires around the state.

Firefighters tackle tough terrain

Also:

• Fires could burn for weeks
• Tropical storm warning issued in Florida

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is Joe Miller's Joke Day.

Daily Almanac

Today is Sunday, Aug. 16, the 228th day of 2009

Today In History August 16, 2009

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

as well as Sweden, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You like to make butterflies out of origami paper.
You like to make dioramas out of shoeboxes.
You like to make sculptures that express your ideas about life and growth and beauty out of toothpicks and cola cans.
Or something along those lines.
Yes, you're a mighty creative person, whether you express yourself in watercolors or heartfelt emails or by building computers from component parts.
Have fun!

How do they know?