The Straight Dope: The use of steroids and blood doping traces back at least into the 1970s. Robert Byron/iStockphoto.com There’s a certain anniversary irony to the fact that Alex Rodriquez’s illegal doping ban appeal hearing is taking place this week, for it was, essentially, a quarter-of-a-century ago that what we think of as the drug
Enlarge image i A visitor to the federally run Folk Art Center in Asheville, N.C., on Tuesday expressed the dismay many felt because of the government shutdown. Chuck Burton/AP A visitor to the federally run Folk Art Center in Asheville, N.C., on Tuesday expressed the dismay many felt because of the government shutdown. Chuck Burton/AP
Enlarge image i The Lincoln Memorial is officially closed. National parks and monuments are among the parts of the federal government affected by the shutdown. Dennis Brack /Landov The Lincoln Memorial is officially closed. National parks and monuments are among the parts of the federal government affected by the shutdown. Dennis Brack /Landov We said
Then-governor Mitt Romney (seated at center) signs a health care reform bill for Massachusetts at Faneuil Hall in Boston on April 12, 2006. Brian Snyder/Reuters/Landov Today marks a milestone on the nation’s long march toward universal health coverage – the launch of online marketplaces, called exchanges, designed to help people find health insurance they can
Enlarge image i Members of the House of Representatives enter the U.S. Capitol on Monday. Congress failed to reach a budget agreement by the midnight deadline triggering a partial shutdown of the government. Win McNamee/Getty Images Members of the House of Representatives enter the U.S. Capitol on Monday. Congress failed to reach a budget agreement
Enlarge image i A woman surnamed Chu (left), 77, attends the hearing of a case against her daughter and husband in Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu province, on July 1. Chu’s daughter has been ordered to visit her at least once every two months, in the first case under a new law to protect the elderly.
Enlarge image i Wilson Kipsang from Kenya celebrates winning the 40th Berlin Marathon in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Kipsang set a new world record of 2:03:23. Michael Sohn/AP Wilson Kipsang from Kenya celebrates winning the 40th Berlin Marathon in Berlin, Germany on Sunday. Kipsang set a new world record of 2:03:23. Michael Sohn/AP On Sunday,
The Justice Department is preparing to sue North Carolina over that state’s restrictive new voting law Monday. The lawsuit takes aim at provisions that limit early voting periods and require government photo ID as an illegal form of discrimination against minorities at the ballot box, according to a person briefed on the Justice Department’s plans.
Enlarge image i Phantom Vibration Syndrome: That phenomenon where you think your phone is vibrating when it’s not. iStockPhoto Phantom Vibration Syndrome: That phenomenon where you think your phone is vibrating when it’s not. iStockPhoto Phantom vibration — that phenomenon where you think your phone is vibrating but it’s not — has only been around
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani waves as his motorcade leaves Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport upon his arrival from New York Saturday, one day after he spoke to President Obama by phone. Atta Kenare /AFP/Getty Images In Iran, President Hassan Rouhani was both celebrated and vilified Saturday for speaking to President Obama by phone during his trip to
Enlarge image i House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio arrives at the U.S. Capitol Saturday. He scheduled a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers over legislation to fund the federal government past Monday. Molly Riley/AP House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio arrives at the U.S. Capitol Saturday. He scheduled a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers over
Enlarge image i Speaker of the House John Boehner arrives at the Capitol on Saturday. Alex Wong/Getty Images Speaker of the House John Boehner arrives at the Capitol on Saturday. Alex Wong/Getty Images House Republicans have settled on a plan to amend the government funding bill. That plan includes both a one-year delay in implementing