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After at least three years of red ink, most states have budget surpluses. It's a sign of a recovering economy and leaves states with a new dilemma: how best to spend the money.

Supplies of oil have been surging this year, and U.S. drivers, who have been switching to more fuel-efficient cars, are using less gasoline. That would seem to be the right economic combination to push down prices at the pump, but gasoline prices have remained stubbornly high this summer.

A new report argues that humanities and social sciences are as essential to the country's economic and civic future as science and technology. The study by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences was commissioned in 2010 by a bipartisan group of members of Congress. It comes at a time when the value of the liberal arts is being challenged by economic and political forces.

Two cities in Brazil have canceled bus and subway fare hikes after massive demonstrations. Anger over poor public services and government spending on sports arenas brought thousands of protesters into the streets.

George Zimmer was the founder and executive chairman of the clothing retailer. For three decades, Zimmer starred in the company's commercials. His catch saying: "You're going to like the way you look. I guarantee it."

Investors have been nervous about the Federal Reserve's intentions after hints that it might reduce its massive bond buying program. Amid volatile markets, traders and investors complained they wanted more clarity. Chairman Ben Bernanke obliged on Wednesday after a regular two-day meeting of Fed policymakers.

The 51-year-old actor died on Wednesday in Rome. Reports attribute his death to a heart attack. Gandolfini had been a character actor for years before he was given a chance to read for Tony Soprano in a new series about a New Jersey mob boss HBO was producing in the late 90s.

Robert Mueller told a Senate panel on Wednesday that the FBI used drones rarely and for surveillance proposes. The DEA and the ATF had both revealed they possessed drones.

The Obama administration sounded a hopeful note on Afghanistan earlier this week. It was announced that Afghan forces had taken the lead on security and that the Taliban was opening an office in Qatar, giving hope for renewed peace talks. Within hours, a Taliban attack killed four Americans and Afghan officials called off their talks with the U.S. Renee Montagne talks Alissa Rubin, Kabul bureau chief for The New York Times, for details.

Suicide killed more U.S. troops last year than combat in Afghanistan, a trend that's likely to continue this year. The causes and remedies are complicated, but Fort Bliss in Texas has bucked the trend. Suicides have declined there, after implementation of an interactive suicide prevention program.