If BP qualifies for $10 billion cleanup tax break, should it get one?

Hiroshima memorial visit: unspoken apology or commitment to disarmament?

While some Japanese still want an apology for the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Obama Administration called the first official US visit to the annual Hiroshima commemoration a demonstration of its commitment to nuclear disarmament.

• Hiroshima 65 years later: US attends ceremony, but offers no apology

As Senate breaks for recess, House seethes over unfinished business

The House sent 350 bills to the Senate – some after hard votes on controversial issues – that are now unlikely to see the light of day. Why that unfinished business upsets some House Democrats.

Unemployment rate shows US 'upturn is nothing great'

Unemployment rate watchers noted that summer is traditionally a slow season for hiring, but the economy continues to show signs of slow progress. The unemployment rate stayed at 9.5 percent in a jobs report issued Friday.

• The New Economy: Unemployment report missing a surge in freelance jobs?

Israel-Lebanon border clash has Israel complaining of Hezbollah's influence

The Israel-Lebanon border clash that left an Israeli officer and three Lebanese dead this week has spurred Israeli complaints about ties between the Lebanese Army and the militant Shiite group Hezbollah. The Obama administration may face a congressional challenge to a US military aid program for Lebanon.

Can huge Mojave wind farm boost faltering wind power industry?

Construction began last week on a wind power plant in the Mojave Desert. Its developers say it will be the nation's biggest but it comes amid dimming prospects for wind power in the US.

Japanese oil tanker attacked by terrorists, says UAE

Japanese oil tanker M. Star was subject last month to a terrorist attack, UAE inspectors said Friday, raising fears of a new campaign targeting global oil interests.

Pakistan floods displace millions, aid welcome from US or from militants

The US has committed $35 million thus far to battle the worst Pakistan floods in 80 years. Meanwhile, a militant group has some 3,000 volunteers working around the country.

Tennessee GOP primary: Bill Haslam's win fits Election 2010 trends

Bill Haslam won almost 48 percent of the vote in the Tennessee GOP primary for governor. Like some other Republican moderates, he prevailed over 'tea party' candidates and is self-funded.

Elena Kagan confirmed to Supreme Court

Elena Kagan was confirmed to a seat on the Supreme Court Thursday. The Senate voted 63-37, mostly along party lines, to make Kagan America's 112th Supreme Court justice.

Pentagon threatens to 'compel' WikiLeaks to hand over Afghan war data

With WikiLeaks on the verge of publishing another cache of secret Afghan war documents 20 times larger than its original leak, the Pentagon said Thursday that it may 'compel them to do the right thing.'

• Afghanistan war: Will the new Petraeus rules of engagement make troops safer?

Obama's popularity may be down in US, but he's even less popular among Arabs

President Obama's popularity in the US has declined sharply this year and he's always been unpopular in Israel. But his numbers have plunged the most in countries that had high hopes for change in the Middle East.

Will California gay marriage ruling affect other states?

If Judge Vaughn Walker's decision declaring the California gay marriage law unconstitutional is eventually upheld by the US Supreme Court, it could overturn gay marriage bans in 45 states.