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By Ivan Semeniuk of Nature magazine The most fractious and combative US Congress in recent memory is getting on with approving a 2012 budget--although perhaps only so that it can move more swiftly to the next battlefield. [More]

It's not at all clear that the bill would even succeed in catching online piracy. But it could significantly harm innovation on the Web. What's currently being called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) may very well acquire a new name if it manages to come to a vote and pass: The Bill That Broke the Internet.

Breaking news from your editors at Fast Company, with updates all day.

Sure, Congress is ineffective, the Fed can't help you, and optimism is still weak. But there are plenty of reasons to feel good about being a small business owner. At first glance, today's small business optimism index released by the National Federation of Independent Businesses might make you a little depressed: More than a quarter of small businesses indicated that sales were lower this month than last, and borrowing activity is at a 38-year low.

Student debt reformer Alan Collinge has brought a clear set of demands--and little patience for general assembly dickering--to Occupy Wall Street. He belongs to a large--but not unified--contingent of pragmatic policy wonks in the movement.

TRIAGING TREATMENTS The problems with the U.S. health care system described by Sharon Begley in “ The Best Medicine ” are accurate

In a bi-partisan effort, Congress passed legislation extending funding to support research and treatment for autism. Betty Nguyen reports.

Start-up founder Eileen P. Gunn writes about how she budgets time to maximize focus, momentum--and rest. I wonder if Congress would consider creating a longer day, specifically for entrepreneurs

Start-up founder Eileen P. Gunn writes about how she budgets time to maximize focus, momentum--and rest

Small businesses are pessimistic because of lack of demand for their products and expected increases in health care costs. Thanks to growing economic uncertainty, small-business confidence has fallen to a two-year low, according to new research

At today's Facebook F8 developer conference, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joined Mark Zuckerberg on stage for a surprise announcement: Netflix will finally be integrating social sharing with Facebook. That is, if a bill that sitting in Congress is ever able to pass on the House floor.

Putting the power of online video into the hands of teachers.

Since the attacks of September 11, Congress has approved nearly $1.3 trillion for military spending. Much of that money has gone into mounting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. But some of the funds have been used to dream up and develop futuristic-sounding military devices such as exoskeletons

Last night the president laid out the American Jobs Act, an initiative aimed at lowering unemployment. What does it mean for small business owners and entrepreneurs? In a persuasive speech before a joint session of Congress last night, president Barack Obama revealed his American Jobs Act, which he hopes will improve unemployment and get Americans working again.

Governors are in a conundrum. How can their states toe the line on spending for vital health care services without killing the health care job creation engine?
 President Obama will address the nation tonight on the vital topic of how to create more jobs in America. I can’t help thinking that politicians on both sides of the aisle face a stark choice when it comes to jobs versus rising health care costs.

 Health care has been a reliable job creator during the recession