HARI SREENIVASAN: Americans are showing greater confidence in the economy and buying more. The Commerce Department reported today that consumer spending rose .08 percent last month, the best showing since February. Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70 percent of the U.S. economy.
The potential for government eavesdropping on Americans was back before the U.S. Supreme Court today. Lawyers, journalists, and human rights activists argued they should be allowed to challenge parts of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
They argued innocent Americans could be caught up in electronic spying on foreign targets. The Justice Department called that claim -- quote -- "a cascade of speculation."
In Syria, heavy air raids pounded the suburbs of Damascus after a temporary truce collapsed over the weekend. This was supposed to be the fourth and final day of a U.N.-backed cease-fire, timed to coincide with a Muslim holiday.
But, today, as many as 60 government airstrikes hit rebel targets around the country. A car bomb also went off in the capital city, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 40 others. Activists also reported at least 150 people were killed in violence on Sunday.
The city of San Francisco celebrated the Giants' latest World Series championship today. Fans poured into the streets last night after their team swept the Detroit Tigers.
The Giants won 4-3 in 10 innings to take their second title in three years. And no National League team had swept a World Series since the 1990 Cincinnati Reds.
Those are some of the day's major stories.
May 17, 2013
Make a Comment