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Archive

Archives for December 2014

Politics
How Florida’s demographics made the US-Cuba deal possibleHow Florida’s demographics made the US-Cuba deal possible
Politics

The old “Cuban vote” doesn’t mean what it used to

By Dara Lind
Politics
How domestic politics drove America’s Cuba embargo — and might soon end itHow domestic politics drove America’s Cuba embargo — and might soon end it
Politics

The tumultuous Clinton-era politics of Cuba.

By Andrew Prokop
Cuba
Obama can limit the Cuba embargo on his own. But he needs Congress to end itObama can limit the Cuba embargo on his own. But he needs Congress to end it
Cuba

Here’s what it would take to really end the Cuban embargo

By Amanda Taub
Politics
American transit activists need to speak up about exorbitant construction costsAmerican transit activists need to speak up about exorbitant construction costs
Politics

Hundreds of millions of dollars for a single infill station?

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
The definitive ranking of all six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit filmsThe definitive ranking of all six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films
Culture

The last Hobbit film doesn’t dramatically change these rankings. But it’s still the best of that trilogy.

By Emily St. James
Politics
After years of effort, Vermont gov. reportedly gives up pursuing single-payer health careAfter years of effort, Vermont gov. reportedly gives up pursuing single-payer health care
Politics

Gov. Peter Shumlin told reporters Wednesday the “time is not right” to move forward.

By Sarah Kliff
Politics
Before you plan that trip to Cuba: will the US government let you go?Before you plan that trip to Cuba: will the US government let you go?
Politics

A handy checklist

By Dara Lind and Anand Katakam
World Politics
Are Cuban cigars really better? What the experts say.Are Cuban cigars really better? What the experts say.
World Politics

Cigar Aficionado consistently rated Cuban cigars higher in blind taste tests.

By Dylan Matthews
archives
Quiz: How does your salary stack up?Quiz: How does your salary stack up?
archives

See if you can put these jobs in order, from the highest to the lowest pay

By Danielle Kurtzleben
archives
New York thinks a burrito is a sandwichNew York thinks a burrito is a sandwich
archives

New York’s “sandwich tax” might be the greatest fraud ever played on New Yorkers if you don’t count the ones that involve rent or drugs.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Technology
Is streaming bad for artists? Yes and no. The future of music, explained.Is streaming bad for artists? Yes and no. The future of music, explained.
Technology

Here’s everything you need to know to understand music streaming.

By Kelsey McKinney
Comic Books
How Marvel’s writers’ retreat became the secret meeting everyone wants to be invited toHow Marvel’s writers’ retreat became the secret meeting everyone wants to be invited to
Comic Books

It’s a convergence of the company’s biggest stars, a hotbed of ideas, and the birthplace of stories that have shaped (and will shape) the Marvel Universe.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Science
NASA can see your Christmas lights from spaceNASA can see your Christmas lights from space
Science

Large US cities get 50 percent brighter at night during the holidays, thanks to the extra lighting.

By Brad Plumer
World Politics
The economic meltdown in Russia, in 2 chartsThe economic meltdown in Russia, in 2 charts
World Politics

How the country’s currency crisis compared to previous ones.

By German Lopez
archives
Today’s teens are the best-behaved on recordToday’s teens are the best-behaved on record
archives

They smoke less, drink less and get pregnant less the generations of teens before them.

By Sarah Kliff