Every ten years, the U.S. government essentially takes attendance, using results to distribute seats in the House of Representatives and $400 billion in federal aid. Will this year’s census make some people angry? We can count on it.
Good news: The bald eagle and the gray wolf are back from the brink of extinction. Bad news: That leaves chimps, manatees, polar bears, whales ... Which ones can be saved, and how?
1Quick Study: Unlocking Gridlock With the economy stuck in low gear, congestion has actually improved a bit lately. But, experts warn, the lull won't last.
2Quick Study: Where Our Garbage Goes In a calm stretch of the northern Pacific lies the Eastern Garbage Patch, a stew of trash twice the size of Texas. Deadly for ocean life, the icky area holds some of the two billion tons of waste we create each year. While technology offers hope for more enlightened disposal, the clock is ticking: Garbage will double by 2030.
3Quick Study: Pirates! Even before sacking the U.S.-flagged Maersk, high-seas thieves had been plenty busy hijacking loaded ships in sparsely patrolled waters. Here, the Reader's Digest Version of why this centuries-old scourge is back—and its human and financial toll.
4Quick Study: The Future of Work Say goodbye to the classic 40-hour workweek. The sputtering economy, the decline of manufacturing, and the ubiquitous BlackBerry are remaking 9 to 5 into something with unpredictable hours and fuzzier borders.
5Quick Study: Twister Discover the anatomy of a tornado and the time line of life-changing twisters.
6Quick Study: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes Hard times mean a hard look at taxes—how much we pay, who skates through loopholes and more. Learn about the impact on your return.
7Quick Study: Standardized Tests If you think your kids need to spend more time penciling in answer bubbles, the College Board has granted your wish.
25 Ways to Stop Smoking Cigarettes 25 Ways to stop smoking cigarettes and ways to quit smoking for good can help you towards a healthier, smoke-free life.
Thanksgiving Turkey 101 Before making a purchase, bulk up on your turkey knowledge so you can select the right bird for your Thanksgiving feast.
The Funniest Joke in the World We have a winner for the World's Funniest Joke Contest! It's Sweden. Read on to see the gag that left them rolling in the aisles from here to Stockholm.