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Does Contraception Really Pay For Itself?

Credit istockphoto.com

Birth control will be paid for by employees' insurance companies, if their employers refuse to do so.

By Jim Zarroli

Last week, President Barack Obama announced that religious groups won't have to pay for contraceptive services themselves. Instead, the cost would be borne by their insurance companies.

That compromise has raised a whole new set of questions on its own, though.

9:38 am

Wed February 15, 2012

Why America Pursues More Perfect Politics

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Credit Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Americans are always searching for a "more perfect union." Volunteers roll up a giant banner printed with the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution during a demonstration against the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Oct. 20, 2010.

Credit Brian Snyder / Reuters /Landov

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul kicks a balloon into the crowd at his Maine caucus night rally in Portland on Feb. 11.

Credit Joel Page / Reuters /Landov

With its quirky caucuses and wacky candidate selection, the American political system may not be perfect, but it's a work in progress. Voters cast a ballot during the Harpswell Republican town caucus at the Old Orr's Island School House in Harpswell, Maine, on Feb. 11.

By Linton Weeks

Americans are obsessed with perfection.

We implement zero-tolerance policies in our schools and businesses. We improve on the atomic clock with the quantum-logic clock that is twice as precise. We use multi-angle instant replay cameras in certain professional sporting contests to make sure the referees' calls are flawless. We spend millions on plastic surgery. We strive for higher fidelity, resolution, definition, everything.

9:24 am

Wed February 15, 2012

Administration Proposes $5 Billion Competition To Improve Teacher Quality

By Eyder Peralta

Using its Race to the Top program as a model, the Obama administration is expected to announce a $5 billion competition designed to improve teacher quality.

9:03 am

Wed February 15, 2012

'Flying Mop' And Other Canine Glam Shots

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Credit Tim Flach

A Puli leaps toward the camera

Credit Tim Flach

Pekingese

By editor

Originally published on Wed May 23, 2012 9:01 am

Here's English photographer Tim Flach's take on the breed that just won best in show at the Westminster Dog Show, i.e., the Pekingese:

Taken for his 2010 book Dogs, this portrait is quite different from photos you might have seen of the award-winning Malachy.

8:42 am

Wed February 15, 2012

Consumer Groups Want Lead Out Of Lipstick

Credit iStockphoto.com

Time to get the lead out?

By editor

Originally published on Wed February 15, 2012 8:44 am

Valentine's Day brought new attention to an old issue. Is the amount of lead found in lipstick a health hazard?

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a consortium of consumer and environmental groups, thinks so. They've argued that there's no safe level for lead in lipsticks — especially for pregnant women and kids — and want the agency to do something to bring the amount of the metal down.

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10:00 am

Wed February 15, 2012