HORSERACE

Obama significantly widens leads in major battleground states

Obama via AFP

US President Barack Obama has widened his lead in the two main battleground states in the 2012 White House race as well as in Pennsylvania.

CHURCH AND STATE

Atheists condemn House resolution to reaffirm importance of religion

in_god_we_trust.istock

The Secular Coalition for America blasted a resolution proposed in the House that “reaffirms the importance of religion in the lives of United States citizens.”

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM?

Romney suggests teachers unions should be prohibited from campaign donations

Mitt Romney on Education Nation

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney went so far as to suggest that teachers unions should not be allowed to contribute to political campaigns.

JUST WOW

Tycoon offers bounty to marry off lesbian daughter

File photo shows gay and lesbian activists during a gay pride march in Hong Kong via AFP

A Hong Kong tycoon has offered a $65 million “marriage bounty” to any man who can win the heart of his lesbian daughter, a report said Wednesday.

ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTION?

Group files complaint against Murray Energy for forcing workers to attend Romney rally

Romney with coal workers screenshot

ProgressOhio announced that it had filed a complaint with the FEC, alleging that Murray Energy made an illegal corporate contribution to Romney’s campaign.

SUPERCHARGED

Tesla promises free solar-powered travel with new ‘Supercharger’ tech

Tesla Motors' "Supercharger." Photo: Screenshot via UStream.

Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors announced Monday that it will roll out a network of solar-powered charging stations across the United States over the next two years

Science

Climate change slowing down world economy, ‘most savage impact is hunger and poverty’

Climate change caused by global warming is slowing down world economic output by 1.6 percent…

Researchers develop app to mimic Einstein’s brain

Researchers who always marveled at what Albert Einstein was able to do with his brain…

Syria’s extraordinary archaeological heritage falls prey to war

Study finds similarities between ovary, breast cancers

Tech News

Samsung launches new oversized Galaxy Note smartphone to compete with Apple’s iPhone 5

Samsung launched Wednesday the newest version of its oversized smartphone Galaxy Note, just a week…

Google offers virtual dives in world’s coral reefs

Google has begun letting users of its online mapping service take virtual scuba dives to…

Media

Huffington Post launches Italian edition

US news website The Huffington Post launched its Italian edition “L’Huffington Post” on Tuesday as…

Romney-backer Sheldon Adelson accused of commandeering Israel’s media market

GOP backer Adelson accused of commandeering Israel's media market Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson grabbed the spotlight…

World

British government pledges £1 million to stop rape in war zones

The Foreign Secretary William Hague has unveiled a £1 million pledge to help stop sexual violence against women in war…

Strong earthquake forces more than 1,000 tourists to flee hotels in Baja, Mexico

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Mexico’s Baja California peninsula Tuesday, forcing more than 1,000 tourists to flee their hotels and…

Global financial system as risky as before credit crunch, warns IMF

The global financial system remains as risky as it was before the credit crisis, with the necessary “reboot” of the…

British minister predicts long showdown over Julian Assange

UNITED NATIONS — Britain and Ecuador face a prolonged showdown over the asylum bid by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in…

U.S. News

Could you live in 150 square feet? Cities try out micro-housing.

Could you live in 150 square feet? Cities try out micro-housing. Despite a soft housing…

Pork and bacon shortage ‘unavoidable’ as record drought raises feed costs

Record droughts in the US and Russia are threatening to curtail the world’s bacon supply,…

Geithner urges governments to fuel growth

NEW YORK — US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Tuesday that sparking faster growth in…

Akin again insists he’s staying in Missouri Senate race

Appearing at at a press conference on Tuesday, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) said again that…

Supreme Court takes up case on forced blood tests on suspected drunk drivers

Forced blood test for a drunk-driving suspect? Supreme Court to step in. (via The Christian…