USA
The US immigrant population reached an all-time high of 37.5 million in 2006, according to new census data released Wednesday. Information in the annual American Community Survey revealed an uneven educational landscape, with 48 percent of Asian immigrants holding at least a bachelor's degree, compared with about 11 percent from Latin America.
The government might step in to reduce airline flight schedules if on-time performance doesn't improve, Federal Aviation Administration boss Marion Blakey told industry leaders. Only 70 percent of flights arrived on time in July. Critics say the FAA needs to upgrade air traffic control equipment.
The NFL may mete out serious sanctions against the New England Patriots if spying accusations against the team hold up, ESPN.com said. The controversy stems from reports that a Patriot employee videotaped sideline signals Sunday by New York Jets coaches in violation of league rules.
Interim Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon (D) is expected to become the first woman to be elected mayor after a resounding victory in Tuesday's primary. The former city council president stepped in when Martin O'Malley became governor and is considered a virtual shoo-in in heavily Democratic Baltimore during the Nov. 6 general election.
Michigan State University, which has committed itself to annually reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, joins three other schools receiving Campus Sustainability awards from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Others schools recognized are Green Mountain College and Middlebury in Vermont and Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona.
Tests are set to begin on a new nonmetal Humvee made with Fiberglas, the Army said of a prototype designed to replace 900 pounds of body weight with additional armor-plating to protect against bomb blasts.
More than 20,000 people have already signed up to become owners of the two-seater Smart cars, when they hit the US market in early 2008. Made by the Mercedes Car Group in France, the micros, which are winding up a 50-city US tour, get about 40 miles per gallon.