New research, published in the medical journal Nature, suggests that scientists have for the first time come to a better and more thorough understanding of the genetic basis for cancer. The research may point to new and more effective treatments in the future.

A federal appeals court recently upheld a San Francisco ruling requiring employers to either offer healthcare coverage to their employees or fund a citywide healthcare program. The stipulation applies to private businesses that employ 20 or more workers and nonprofit organizations with 50 or more. Of the yearly $200 million cost of the city's two-year-old program, 80 percent is drawn from state and local taxes, and a patient fee based on income. The ruling requires San Francisco businesses to help pay the remainder of the bill for the city's uninsured. 

A Rand Corporation report indicates that 18.5 percent of current and former U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans recently surveyed reported symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

The leaders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico met in New Orleans on April 21-22 for the fourth round of annual talks formerly known as the Security and Prosperity Partnership. However, the session carried the label North American Leaders’ Summit.

Several Jewish Holocaust survivors and their descendants are taking action to prevent Pope Benedict from signing a decree declaring that Pope Pius XII is a Saint. They argue that if the Vatican proceeds with this action, it will seriously jeopardize the relationship between Catholics and Jews.

On April 20, Pope Benedict XVI, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics, concluded a six-day visit to the United States, home to 67.5 million of his flock. In between the pope’s April 15 arrival and his farewell ceremony, the pontiff took part in a whirlwind round of ceremonies.