An oiled brown pelican, which was captured on a barrier island off the fragile Louisiana coast, is cleaned at a triage center in Fort Jackson, La. The US Justice Department is investigating possible prosecutions because of the BP oil spill. Environmental laws may apply. (Newscom)

Oil spill jail time for BP officials? It could happen.

BP officials could be prosecuted under the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Endangered Species Act. So could federal officials if they aided and abetted any illegal acts.

Late-life breakups like Al and Tipper Gore's even harder on women

When a long marriage like Al and Tipper Gore's ends, women often take more of a financial hit. Retirement, health care, and long-term financial stability can be thrown off balance.
BP oil spill: Five outside-the-box solutions to capping and cleanup
Horizons

Google admits Facebook is the most popular website in the world
US college degrees: Still the best among world's top universities?
West Philadelphia high school dares to build a 100 m.p.g. car

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06.02.10 »

Commentary

Editorial Board Blog

Did Israel's raid on Gaza Freedom Flotilla violate international law?

Blogs

Afghanistan: why US changed its mind about Karzai's 'jirga'

US officials initially had concerns about Karzai’s peace jirga, which is taking place in Kabul, Afghanistan. But with no Taliban representation at the event, the US shifted its stance.

New public school 'core standards': Which states might not sign on?

The core standards unveiled Wednesday would establish a national bar for what students in any state should know when they graduate from high school. But some states are wary.

With election looming, Obama joins partisan finger-pointing

Obama struck a combative tone in a speech in Pittsburgh Wednesday, making sharp jabs at the Republicans and BP in what could be a taste of the run-up to the November elections.

Obama's Arizona immigration law summit: what to expect

President Obama will meet with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer Thursday to discuss the Arizona immigration law. But room for compromise appears to be minimal.

Britain calls Israel's Gaza flotilla raid unacceptable

Britain Prime Minister David Cameron said Israel's Gaza flotilla raid was 'completely unacceptable' and called for an end to the economic blockade of the impoverished territory.

Before BP oil spill, Big Oil-led study urged feds to cut safety testing

The 2009 study intensifies suspicions that Big Oil interests trumped US safety regulations, a concern that has been growing since the BP oil spill.

BP oil spill spreads toward Pensacola, as wildlife toll rises

The BP oil spill is moving eastward, threatening beaches like Pensacola, Fla., as oil balls wash ashore and Gulf animals die at unusually high rates.

Al and Tipper Gore: later-life divorces no longer uncommon

Al and Tipper Gore have announced that they are separating after 40 years of marriage. With Americans living longer, the number of divorces after decades of marriage is increasing.

Gaza flotilla raid pushes unknown Knesset member into spotlight

Hanin Zoabi, who was aboard the Mavi Marmara when it was seized Monday by Israeli commandos, has stepped up as a leading domestic critic of her government's Gaza flotilla raid. Meanwhile, senior statesman Ehud Barak faces calls for his resignation.