Thomas Bender, a professor of history and humanities at New York University, wants us to focus instead on what makes the United States the same.

ECONOMIST: American history

That's exactly what the whiz-kids from the City College of New York, Rice University and the US Army Research Laboratory have done with a new lithium-ion battery powered by red dye extracted from madder roots.

ENGADGET: Scientists develop eco battery powered by root-extracted dye

Professor Lincoln Mitchell of Colombia University in New York says that, since Barack Obama became US president, a narrative has been created in America based on fears in countries like Georgia that the policy of "reset" will mean they get ignored.

BBC: Clinton's balancing act with Russia's neighbours

In this study, carried out in 2002, scientists from the UK's University of Edinburgh and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, the US, examined 38 women who were pregnant while at or near the World Trade Center when it was attacked.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Babies inherit 9/11 mums' stress

Lemore Hecht, a spokeswoman for Hertz, said the company started offering electric cars in 2010 for its cars-by-the-hour rental business, available in New York, Paris, Berlin, London, Washington DC, California and some US university sites.

BBC: Rental cars go electric

Receiving a fellowship from the US state department, he attended Columbia University law school and was hired by a New York-based law firm.

BBC: Profile: President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia