Christian Science Monitor | All Stories

Race to the Top promises new era of standardized testing

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:39:55 GMT

US awards $330 million to two coalitions of states to develop standardized testing as part of its Race to the Top competition; tests to employ computers to measure students' skills.

Illegal immigrants: Which states have lost the most?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:16:59 GMT

The number of illegal immigrants in the US has declined by about 1 million since the start of the recession. A new study looks at the trend state by state. Here are the top five.

Gangs vs. Chicago police: an open feud over blame for street violence

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:14:39 GMT

Gang representatives in Chicago held a press conference Thursday to explain why gangs cannot be held solely responsible for stopping street violence, which has escalated this summer.

Hurricane Earl bears down on Outer Banks, following well-worn path

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:49:46 GMT

Hurricane Earl is only the latest hurricane to put North Carolina in its path. The state has seen billions of dollars of damage since its founding.

Why Fox News has agreed to run an unflattering ad

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:39:16 GMT

Fox News has accepted an ad that takes on Fox’s parent company, News Corp. It could turn out to be a good public-relations move for the cable channel.

What are the real values behind buying local?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:30:03 GMT

It may not always make sense to buy local. Consider what added value - or values - the local business offers, before making your decision.

Mariner Energy oil rig fire extinguished, no sign of oil spill in Gulf

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:16:24 GMT

An oil rig run belonging to Mariner Energy caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday. The Coast Guard has now refuted earlier reports of an oil sheen on the water.

Joe Arpaio: Why is Obama administration suing an outspoken Arizona sheriff?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:38:40 GMT

The Justice Department said Thursday that Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona's Maricopa County is not cooperating in an investigation into whether his department has used racial profiling in sweeps to catch illegal immigrants.

Top 5 issues on the table for Israeli-Palestinian talks

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:34:23 GMT

These are the five most central issues that Israel and the Palestinian Authority need to address in the latest round of peace talks, which began Sept. 2.

Top Chef contestants compete to make astronaut meals

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:29:22 GMT

Sept. 1 episode of Bravo's reality show, 'Top Chef', featured a space-food challenge from NASA. The winner, Angelo Sosa, will have his short rib dish flown into orbit.

Google Chrome 6: What it is and how to get it

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:41:22 GMT

Google Chrome turns 2 today – and Google is celebrating with the release of Chrome 6.

Abbas agrees to fresh Israeli-Palestinian talks in Egypt, but has little support at home

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:35:10 GMT

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed today to meet again in two weeks. But Mr. Abbas has little support at home for the talks, even among allies.

In Somalia, foreign intervention won't resolve Al Shabab threat

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:30:07 GMT

The best hope for stability in Somalia may lie in African Union troops, but they can't take the offensive against the terrorist group Al Shabab.

Matt Leinart: Could the Cardinals and their quarterback part ways?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:29:55 GMT

Matt Leinart is a former first-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals. However, the former Heisman Trophy winner and his coach reportedly don't see eye-to-eye.

As Iraq combat operations end, US forces try to cement gains

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:25:16 GMT

While Iraq combat operations are over, the 50,000 remaining US soldiers in Iraq are looking to cement their achievements by sending out small groups of advisers to help improve Iraqi Army performance.

Monitor breakfast with AFL-CIO President Trumka -- public pension cuts

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:21:05 GMT

When you hear about public employees who retire before 60 on full salaries, it's hard to work up sympathy for unions defending those pensions before state budget cutters. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka disagrees. What about CEO salaries, he asks?

Guns, drugs, and La Barbie: Why America is responsible for Mexican drug cartels

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:18:57 GMT

Drug lords like La Barbie threaten Mexico's security with American-bought firearms, and finance their violent empires with American drug money.

Congo rejects recommendation in UN report on genocide

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:05:13 GMT

Guest blogger Jason Stearns says that the Congolese government's rejection of recommendations made in a UN report on the possible genocide makes it less likely that crimes will be adequately addressed.

Top issue in Israeli-Palestinian talks: When will real negotiations begin?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:51:52 GMT

Before Mideast peace talks Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned the two sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that they have nothing to gain by waiting to tackle thorny issues.

Middle East peace talks: Why there's hope the bitter divide can be bridged

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:35:40 GMT

A university seminar involving Palestinian, Israeli, and American students showed us that even passionate disagreement can be surmounted with a universal language of democratic moderation and mutuality.

Proposal: Keep the value of the Bush tax cuts, but change who gets them

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:35:04 GMT

Instead of extending the $75 billion tax cut for the wealthy, who will hide it under a mattress, shift the tax cut to benefit low- and middle-income wage earners, who will spend it.

Oil rig explosion: Is oil leaking from Mariner Energy rig near Vermillion Bay?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:22:11 GMT

Oil rig explosion reports are so far unclear about whether a Mariner Energy facility south of Vermillion Bay has caused an oil leak. The rig is in shallow water, and no injuries are confirmed.

Hurricane Earl path stretches from North Carolina to Boston Harbor

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:19:10 GMT

Hurricane Earl path prompts tropical-storm or hurricane warnings from North Carolina to Hull, Mass. Earl, packing 140 m.p.h. winds, is slated to brush Cape Hatteras overnight.

Tony Blair memoir: I'd do Iraq again, and I considered firing Gordon Brown

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:10:39 GMT

In his new memoir, former British prime minister Tony Blair shares misgiving about the Iraq war – and catalogs his extensive struggles with then-finance minister Gordon Brown.

Low mortgage rates go lower. Better days ahead for housing market?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:28:14 GMT

Low mortgage rates fell still more this week – to the lowest level ever in four decades of tracking. Also, the number of pending home sales posted a rise for the month of July.

Ready for a break? Take a long weekend retreat.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:20:05 GMT

Labor Day Weekend provides a great opportunity to recharge yourself and do some serious thinking. Here are tips on how to get the most benefit from the time.

Is Gotham City ready for two Batmans?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:58:53 GMT

The Bruce Wayne Batman is coming back – but the Dick Grayson Batman is staying put.

Union leader Trumka's bleak view under a Republican-led House

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:33:27 GMT

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president, predicts that Democrats will defy conventional wisdom and keep control of the Senate and House in November. But if Republicans take over even just the House, 'any chance of progress will be ended,' says the union leader.

Strikes in South Africa could have long-term economic consequences

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:32:06 GMT

In South Africa, 1.3 million striking public service workers refuse government offers, further disrupting schools and hospitals and posing long term economic problems.

Burger King goes private. More deals cooking?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:17:26 GMT

Burger King buyout for $3.3 billion fuels speculation. Will more restaurants follow Burger King's lead?

US and Iran face off – at World Basketball Championships

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:11:12 GMT

The US and Iran set aside controversy over Iran’s nuclear program to play a World Basketball Championships match that featured NBA players including Hamed Haddadi of Iran.

Trade relations between Hoth and Mustafar? Lessons from fantasy worlds.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:00:03 GMT

The law of comparative advantage shows the benefit of trade between regions with extremely different resources - and the costs of protectionism.

AFL-CIO president to Sarah Palin: Change or be linked with McCarthyism

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:52:35 GMT

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka charged that if Republican political star Sarah Palin is not more careful in her choice of words, the political movement she has helped to create will be linked with 1950s McCarthyism.

Hurricane Earl path: Power outages could vex Long Island, Cape Cod

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:45:18 GMT

Hurricane Earl path is expected to unleash wind gusts of 75 to 100 miles per hour. Utility crews are gearing up.

Back-to-school quiz: Which president was a school teacher?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:11:10 GMT

Some presidents had been college lecturers, deans, or academy presidents. But only one was a school teacher of young children. Hint: Think Texas.

Oil rig explosion off Louisiana coast

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:45:26 GMT

Oil rig explosion was west of the site of the April explosion that caused the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil rig explosion was reported by a commercial helicopter flying over the area Thursday morning. All 13 people aboard the oil rig have been accounted for.

Why sin taxes don't work

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:45:06 GMT

Parliament might create a minimum price for alcohol in the UK. Like 'sin taxes' in any country, this plan has obvious benefits, but hidden costs.

Astronomers spot galaxy releasing gassy 'superwind'

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:42:24 GMT

A starburst galaxy some 80 million light-years away from earth is unleashing a powerful wind of gas, researchers say.

During these salad days, let us entertain you

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:37:00 GMT

When it’s too hot to cook, the Monitor’s language columnist considers how salads really are worth their salt.

My Little Brother

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:35:28 GMT

A poem.