http://www.mail.com/subjects/8196-public-opinion.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/8196-public-opinion.html http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2082940-poll-favorable-views-eu-sharp-decline.html BRUSSELS (AP) — Positive views of the European Union by its citizens are near all-time lows. And no EU country is plunging faster into the abyss of gloom than France. Germans are broadly perceived as being the most trustworthy Europeans — but also the least compassionate. Britons, often seen as deeply skeptical of the benefits of EU membership, are in fact split right down t... Mon, 13 May 2013 22:07:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2082940-poll-favorable-views-eu-sharp-decline.html 2013-05-13T22:07:03Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081158-obama-slams-gop-focus-benghazi-politics.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans pushed ahead Monday with their investigation of the deadly assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, last year as President Barack Obama asserted that GOP charges of a cover-up are baseless. The latest Republican focus is the independent review that slammed the State Department for inadequate security a... Mon, 13 May 2013 21:03:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2081158-obama-slams-gop-focus-benghazi-politics.html 2013-05-13T21:03:25Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2076282-shattered-eu-dreams-heart-bulgarian-election.html SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The big theme of Bulgaria's parliamentary elections this weekend: mounting frustration over the widening gap between the giddy hopes linked to EU membership and today's sobering reality. But few expect things to get any better after the ballot — and the same discredited center-right party is likely to come out on top as voters see no good alternative. ... Fri, 10 May 2013 10:18:30 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2076282-shattered-eu-dreams-heart-bulgarian-election.html 2013-05-10T10:18:30Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2067846-gun-control-forces-struggle-to-issue-alive.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Gun control forces are targeting Sens. Kelly Ayotte, Max Baucus and others as they struggle to persuade five senators to switch their votes and revive the rejected effort to expand background checks to more firearms buyers. With Congress back from a weeklong recess, the bottom line remains familiar: Advocates of broadened checks lack the... Tue, 07 May 2013 14:15:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2067846-gun-control-forces-struggle-to-issue-alive.html 2013-05-07T14:15:17Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2068126-survey-moms-lead-way-discussing-family-finance.html BOSTON (AP) — Who's better at getting a family to talk about money matters, mom or dad? Taking sides probably won't make for a harmonious Mother's Day celebration on Sunday. Yet a survey by a financial services company found that mothers clearly have the upper hand over fathers in getting the discussion started with their adult children. While all familie... Tue, 07 May 2013 10:29:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2068126-survey-moms-lead-way-discussing-family-finance.html 2013-05-07T10:29:41Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2064488-chiles-bachelet-courts-communists-big-reforms.html SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Communist and other leftists were considered enemies of the state during Chile's military dictatorship, a 17-year period that saw thousands of people killed and disappeared for their politics. But as this year's elections nears, former President Michelle Bachelet, who was detained and tortured under the regime of Gen. Augusto Pinoch... Sun, 05 May 2013 17:26:18 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2064488-chiles-bachelet-courts-communists-big-reforms.html 2013-05-05T17:26:18Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2061926-nyc-to-add-640k-people-to-evacuation-zones.html NEW YORK (AP) — Hurricane evacuation areas would encompass 640,000 more city residents, and the number of zones would double, under plans disclosed Friday. Details on the new zones won't be released until June, but the changes could mean neighborhoods around the city might newly be told to clear out ahead of future storms, even as the city grapples with f... Fri, 03 May 2013 22:46:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2061926-nyc-to-add-640k-people-to-evacuation-zones.html 2013-05-03T22:46:32Z http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2058700-study-adults-minimize-steroid-use-problem.html NEW YORK (AP) — American adults rank steroid use among adolescents as less of a problem than alcohol, bullying, marijuana and sexually transmitted diseases, according to a study released Thursday that was co-commissioned by baseball's Hall of Fame. Those polled also felt cocaine, obesity and eating disorders are bigger concerns. While 97 percent of the re... Thu, 02 May 2013 20:20:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/baseball/2058700-study-adults-minimize-steroid-use-problem.html 2013-05-02T20:20:24Z http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2052890-im-gay-nba-player-jason-collins-breaks-barrier.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Last summer, NBA veteran Jason Collins considered joining an old Stanford college roommate, U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, at Boston's gay pride parade. Collins eventually decided he shouldn't, because he wanted to keep his secret safe: For more than a decade as a professional athlete, he had remained silent about his sexuality, worried a... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:48:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/entertainment/celebrity/2052890-im-gay-nba-player-jason-collins-breaks-barrier.html 2013-04-30T13:48:17Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2051162-nba-veteran-center-jason-collins-gay.html WASHINGTON (AP) — With the simplest of sentences, NBA veteran Jason Collins set aside years of worry and silence to become the first active player in one of four major U.S. professional sports leagues to come out as gay. In a first-person article posted Monday on Sports Illustrated's website, Collins begins: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:37:09 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/2051162-nba-veteran-center-jason-collins-gay.html 2013-04-30T02:37:09Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2052110-mens-pro-sports-finally-joins-gay-rights-trend.html NEW YORK (AP) — By coming out as gay while still an active NBA player, Jason Collins breaks one of the last remaining barriers for gays and lesbians in era of constant political gains and ever-growing public acceptance. In most other realms of public life — including the military, Congress, the corporate boardroom — gays have been taking their place as eq... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:21:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2052110-mens-pro-sports-finally-joins-gay-rights-trend.html 2013-04-29T21:21:17Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046594-berlusconi-predicts-success-italian-talks.html ROME (AP) — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi predicted Friday that Italy would succeed in forming a governing coalition out of bitterly rival blocs including his own, savoring the prospects of a political comeback for himself and his conservative party. Once virtually counted out as a political power after giving up the premiership in the face of ... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:24:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2046594-berlusconi-predicts-success-italian-talks.html 2013-04-26T14:24:06Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043480-coordinated-strategy-propelled-gay-marriage-ri.html PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Phone banks, an army of volunteers and alliances with organized labor, business leaders and religious clergy propelled gay marriage to victory in Rhode Island this week, a savvy and coordinated strategy that relied on growing public support and old-fashioned bare-knuckle politics. Gay marriage legislation had failed every year in R... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:38:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043480-coordinated-strategy-propelled-gay-marriage-ri.html 2013-04-25T20:38:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043366-politics-hold-dedication-bush-library.html DALLAS (AP) — George W. Bush shed a sentimental tear. Barack Obama mused about the burdens of the office. Bill Clinton dished out wisecracks. Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush chimed in, too, on a rare day of harmony at the dedication of the younger Bush's presidential library that glossed over the hard edges and partisan divides of five presidencies spanning more than three... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:14:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043366-politics-hold-dedication-bush-library.html 2013-04-25T20:14:16Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2043380-survey-americans-felt-secure-jobs-2012.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Confidence in the U.S. job market has rebounded to roughly a normal level from its record low after the Great Recession, a trend that could help boost the economy. Americans increasingly feel they could find a new job if necessary, according to the results of the 2012 General Social Survey, a long-standing poll of public opinion. And fea... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:08:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2043380-survey-americans-felt-secure-jobs-2012.html 2013-04-25T07:08:22Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043376-bush-clinton-families-stage-texas.html DALLAS (AP) — They have dominated American politics for the past three decades: the Bush and Clinton families, taking turns in a string of positions of power and influence. The dedication of George W. Bush's presidential library on Thursday shines a spotlight on two of the nation's most prominent political dynasties — and the prospect of another White Hou... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:01:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2043376-bush-clinton-families-stage-texas.html 2013-04-25T07:01:17Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2040968-long-term-care-aging-us-me-poll.html WASHINGTON (AP) — We're in denial: Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older — and are taking few steps to get ready. A new poll examined how people 40 and over are preparing for this difficult and often pricey reality of aging and found two-thirds say they've done little to no planning. In fact, 3 in 10 would rathe... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:49:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2040968-long-term-care-aging-us-me-poll.html 2013-04-24T17:49:44Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/2040966-congressional-immigration-debate-signals-big-shift.html PHOENIX (AP) — The national mood on immigration has changed dramatically since Arizona approved a first-of-its-kind immigration law, igniting a furor over border security and the country's treatment of immigrants. A mere three years later, President Barack Obama and Republicans and Democrats in Congress are lobbying for the nation's first immigration over... Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:20:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/2040966-congressional-immigration-debate-signals-big-shift.html 2013-04-24T07:20:25Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2039714-venezuelan-govt-targets-disaffected-ex-supporters.html TACARIGUA, Venezuela (AP) — The razor-close vote to replace late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has sparked what opposition leaders and human rights groups say is a government crackdown on public employees who either didn't back Chavez's hand-picked successor or failed to show sufficient support for the ruling party. The April 14 election had revealed a... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:10:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/2039714-venezuelan-govt-targets-disaffected-ex-supporters.html 2013-04-23T18:10:29Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2039268-irans-leader-accused-manipulating-public-views.html TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's armed forces joint chief of staff is accusing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of trying to manipulate public opinion. It is the latest exchange of harsh rhetoric between outgoing Ahmadinejad and his conservative opponents ahead of the June election. The conservative Khabaronline news website on Tuesday quoted Gen. Hasan Firouzabad... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:56:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2039268-irans-leader-accused-manipulating-public-views.html 2013-04-23T15:56:03Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2038296-study-lax-attitude-teens-rx-drug-abuse.html WASHINGTON (AP) — More parents need to talk with their teens about the dangers of abusing Ritalin, Adderall and other prescription drugs, suggests a new study that finds discouraging trends on kids and drug use. When teens were asked about the last substance abuse conversation they had with their parents, just 14 percent said they talked about abusing a p... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:39:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/health/2038296-study-lax-attitude-teens-rx-drug-abuse.html 2013-04-23T04:39:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (AP) — In the emotional politics of gun control, the suburbs seem to be emerging as a new sphere of influence. The Senate's defeat last week of firearms restrictions underscored the nation's shifting demographics and a pronounced divide on the gun issue between Americans in rural areas and residents of suburban enclaves, like Quakertown, o... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:35:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2037678-suburbs-playing-key-role-gun-legislation.html 2013-04-22T21:35:43Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2037606-us-teens-better-than-public-realizes-survey.html WASHINGTON (AP) — American teenagers aren't doing as poorly on international science tests as adults think. Despite the misconception, people don't think the subject should get greater emphasis in schools, a survey released Monday found. More Americans than not wrongly think that U.S. 15-year-olds rank near the bottom on international science tests, accor... Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:26:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/2037606-us-teens-better-than-public-realizes-survey.html 2013-04-22T20:26:26Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2030792-poll-public-pessimism-economy-increasing.html WASHINGTON (AP) — For the third year in a row, the nation's economic recovery has hit a springtime soft spot. Reflecting that weakness, only 1 in 4 Americans now expects his or her own financial situation to improve over the next year, a new Associated Press-GfK poll shows. The sour mood is undermining support for President Barack Obama's economic steward... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:09:37 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2030792-poll-public-pessimism-economy-increasing.html 2013-04-19T19:09:37Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029532-obama-victims-families-overcome-gun-owners.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Four months ago, President Barack Obama promised a grieving nation he would do everything in his power to change gun laws after 26 students and staff were shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Turns out his power and the impassioned pleas of devastated families were no match for the force of gun rights advocates in Congress and across the nation. ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:06:28 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029532-obama-victims-families-overcome-gun-owners.html 2013-04-18T22:06:28Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029350-gun-control-what-issue.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The impassioned push for new gun laws, born from the slaughter of schoolchildren, has collided with the marble-hard realities of Congress. Just persuading the Senate to debate tougher laws was considered a high hurdle for gun control advocates. They did it with the aid of Newtown, Conn., families, who brought photos and stories of the sl... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:26:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2029350-gun-control-what-issue.html 2013-04-18T20:26:23Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2027418-what-gun-control-issue.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The impassioned push for new gun laws, born from the slaughter of schoolchildren, has collided with the marble-hard realities of Congress. Just persuading the Senate to debate tougher laws was considered a high hurdle for gun control advocates. They did it with the aid of Newtown, Conn., families, who brought photos and stories of the sl... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:13:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2027418-what-gun-control-issue.html 2013-04-18T18:13:56Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/2027396-gun-control-backers-senate-defeat-wont-us.html WASHINGTON (AP) — One day after the demise of gun control legislation, Senate supporters of the measure vowed to try again, while a leading opponent accused President Barack Obama of taking the "low road" when he harshly criticized lawmakers who voted against key provisions. "When good and honest people have honest differences of opinion about what polici... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:58:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/2027396-gun-control-backers-senate-defeat-wont-us.html 2013-04-18T17:58:51Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2028720-poll-trust-government-obama-approval-slip.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's re-election glow is gone. Congress' reputation remains dismal. And only about one in five Americans say they trust the government to do what's right most of the time, an Associated Press-GfK poll finds. Most adults disapprove of Obama's handling of the federal deficit, a festering national problem. But they also ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:32:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2028720-poll-trust-government-obama-approval-slip.html 2013-04-18T17:32:40Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans backed by a small band of rural-state Democrats scuttled the most far-reaching gun control legislation in two decades Wednesday, rejecting tighter background checks for buyers and a ban on assault weapons as they spurned pleas from families of victims of last winter's school massacre in Newtown, Conn. "This effort isn'... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:57:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2024990-gun-control-loses-expanded-background-checks.html 2013-04-18T03:57:21Z