Kitchen Window
3:00 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Making The Case For Beets

Originally published on Tue July 17, 2012 11:56 am

Two years ago, cilantro haters were vindicated. The New York Times ran a story, Cilantro Haters, It's Not Your Fault, in which Harold McGee, respected food scientist and author, explained why cilantro really does taste like soap to many people. Turns out, some folks "may be genetically predisposed to dislike cilantro."

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Asia
2:39 am
Wed July 11, 2012

'Hard Questions' Remain In U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Credit Qazi Rauf / AP
Pakistani border guards check trucks heading to Afghanistan, in the tribal area of Khyber last week.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

A U.S. operation in the mountains near Afghanistan last November killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan wanted an apology. The U.S. refused. In response, Pakistan shut down supply routes to Afghanistan for NATO convoys.

After intense talks, two border crossings were reopened last week to convoys for the U.S. and NATO forces.

Pakistan's ambassador in Washington, Sherry Rehman, was at the center of the negotiations. Afterward she called it a moment of great opportunity for the two countries.

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London 2012: The Summer Olympics
2:23 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Women's Field Hockey Aims To End Olympic Drought

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

As one of the world's most popular sports, field hockey produces celebrities in Argentina, the Netherlands and Australia. But the sport is relatively obscure in the United States, where members of the women's national team receive a small monthly stipend and their notoriety comes from outside the country.

Later this month, the group heads to London, where it will try to earn the first American medal in the sport in 28 years.

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Economy
2:22 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Euro Currency Still Faring Well, For Now

Credit Michael Probst / AP
Over the last 13 years, the euro has been worth on average $1.21, only a penny less than its current price of $1.22 per euro.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 11:42 am

The euro touched a two-year low against the dollar Tuesday, as concerns about the eurozone debt crisis continued.

Despite a recession across much of the eurozone and even predictions of the currency's demise, however, the euro has held up relatively well during this crisis.

Over the last 13 year, it has taken on average $1.21 to buy a euro. Now, even in this midst of this crisis, it's worth virtually the same ($1.22).

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Shots - Health Blog
2:21 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Will Medicaid Bring The Uninsured Out Of The Woodwork?

Originally published on Thu July 12, 2012 3:54 pm

Ever since the Supreme Court decided last month that an expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act should be optional, quite a few Republican governors have been vowing to take a pass.

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World
2:21 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Spanish Families Share Expenses And Tradition

Credit Oli Scarff / Getty Images
A woman pushes a pram though the Plaza de Murillo on July 3 in Madrid. Spain's custom for multiple families to live under the same roof has tied them closer together as well as their wallets. The country has the highest unemployment rate in the Eurozone, and government benefits help aid those out of work.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 8:48 pm

What used to be a Spanish tradition is now becoming more of an economic necessity.

In Spain, the social safety net that helps people survive the economic crisis has two parts: government benefits and close family ties. The country has the highest rate in Europe of multi-generational families all living together.

With a quarter of Spaniards out of work, more parents pick up their kids from school themselves, in the middle of what would have been a workday.

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The Salt
2:20 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Cool Down With A Hot Drink? It's Not As Crazy As You Think

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 8:47 pm

Hot tea on a hot day? Not for me, thank you. Not my idea of how to cool down.

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World
2:19 am
Wed July 11, 2012

Venezuela Begins Debate On Future Without Chavez

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

In Venezuela, people are beginning to talk about what was once unthinkable: Just who could succeed the all-powerful President Hugo Chavez?

He has been battling cancer, which for much of this year forced him to suspend his once-frequent TV appearances. On Monday, Chavez declared himself free of the cancer, though it's not the first time he's said he was cured.

For 13 years, he has consolidated his hold on power while nationalizing farmland and seizing private companies. And now, despite his infrequent appearances, he remains a political force.

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Movies
2:18 am
Wed July 11, 2012

In High-Def Shift, Are Studios Blurring The Picture?

Credit Harry Benson / Getty Images
Alfred Hitchcock, seen here in 1969, is one director whose classic movies are being digitized and given high-definition re-releases — a process some argue can alter the original in significant ways.

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

Sweetness And Light
9:03 pm
Tue July 10, 2012

Going To The Game: The Price Is Wrong?

Credit Paul Gilham / Getty Images
Andy Murray returns a shot during the men's final match at Wimbledon. A pair of tickets for the match went for £32,000 (about $50,000).

Originally published on Wed July 11, 2012 3:45 am

Sports is more ubiquitous than ever on television. And sports is almost the only thing that's left, live, on TV. NBC Universal is even going to let Americans see the Olympics live this year.

Nevertheless, despite TV's charm, last week as Andy Murray, Great Britain's homeboy, drew closer to making the Wimbledon final, the word was that tickets for actual Centre Court seats would be scalped for up to £32,000 a pair. If you're not hanging around the currency exchange market, that comes to something like $50,000. For two tickets. To a game.

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