Christian Science Monitor | All Stories

Should Obama order Afghan war troop surge? Troops say maybe not.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

October was the deadliest month for US troops in the Afghan war. Troops say a surge could stall handing off operations to Afghans, but concerns about security remain.

Supreme Court case: juvenile offenders serving life in prison

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The Supreme Court on Monday takes up two cases that explore the question: Should juveniles convicted of nonlethal crimes be sentenced to life in prison without parole?

Thai royalists target stock-market analysts over rumors of king's health

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

In the past week, Thai authorities have arrested three people on charges of disseminating false data. The arrests have sparked complaints of a witch hunt.

Peshawar Pakistan car bomb kills 12 amid signs of Taliban dissension

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:47:00 PST

Pakistan's army kept up its offensive in South Waziristan, as a Taliban leader warned his followers not to run from the fight and a bomb in Peshawar killed 12.

Fall of the Berlin Wall: Timeline

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A history of the events that caused the Berlin Wall to fall on November 9, 1989.

For the East: freedom to drive their Trabants 'over there'

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Pastor Richard Schröder recalls the "most unbelievable experience."

The comedy of errors that caused a wall to fall

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

West Germans liberated mentally by fall of Berlin Wall

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

As a child, Constanze Stelzenmüller saw the barrier as a symbol of Germany's punishment.

International prosecution of senior Kenyan politicians for post-election violence looks inevitable

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo left Kenya on Saturday saying he has a "strong case" against senior Kenyan politicians for stirring up post-election violence in 2007.

Amid war Afghanistan trains thousands of new midwives

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Afghanistan's health system is still deeply troubled after decades of war. But progress is being to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

When the Berlin Wall came down

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Twenty years later, the rest of the world is a different place because of that event.

After Fort Hood shooting: attention on Muslims in US military

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The alleged shooter last week at Fort Hood is Muslim. But the overall picture of Muslims in the military is hardly one of strife and fundamentalism.

Fort Hood rampage: Shooter acted alone, officials say. But why?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Dozens of investigators at Fort Hood are building a psychological profile of the suspect, Nidal Malik Hasan, as they try to understand the motive. Belligerent fanaticism, deepening anger over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and fear about deployment may have played a role.

Iraq passes new election law, smoothing way for January elections

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

After weeks of delay on passing a new election law that the US and others worried could delay Iraq's election -- and perhaps delay a withdrawal of US troops -- parliament passed a law that should lead to elections as scheduled in January.

Supreme Court to decide: What kind of innovations get a patent?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The Supreme Court on Monday takes up this fundamental question in patent law. The answer holds billion-dollar implications for the US economy.

Kimberly Munley ended Fort Hood rampage using Virginia Tech lessons

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Kimberly Munley, the police officer identified as bringing an end to Fort Hood rampage Thursday, applied protocols established in the aftermath of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings.

Ft. Hood massacre: Did Army miss warning signs?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Some reports suggest the alleged shooter in the Ft. Hood massacre, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, was troubled. That raises questions about how well-equipped the Army is to spot disturbed individuals.

Fort Hood eyewitness ran toward the shooting, capturing the scene

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

At Fort Hood, Army filmmaker and Iraq war vet Elliot Valdez raced to the scene of the shooting, filming the aftermath of tragedy and heroism. What he recorded will help officials understand what happened.

Darfur groups press US to get tough with Turkey over Bashir trip

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

President Bashir of Sudan, who faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes in Darfur, is scheduled to arrive Sunday in Turkey for an Islamic conference. Darfur groups want Bashir arrested.

Last Night in Twisted River

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A life on the lam leads to a career as a novelist in John Irving's new novel.

Orlando shooting comes as trend in workplace violence drops

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Orlando shooting follows other incidents, including Ft. Hood. But the trend is downward in recent years due to new workplace protections and policies.

H1N1 vaccine: Should inmates move up in line?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

States are providing the H1N1 vaccine to high-risk groups, and in some cases that includes parts of the prison populations.

Dudamel unleashes Verdi's Requiem

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Conducting the LA Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel demonstrated his command and also his respect for silence when he restarted the piece after a cellphone ring jarred the opening bars.

After Afghanistan election, governors seek distance from 'illegal' Karzai

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

In Panjshir Province, Governor Bahij says he wants to thwart protest of Afghanistan election. But he wants more autonomy.

The Berlin wall and violent Islamic jihad

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A persistent, united effort by governments and individuals brought down the Berlin wall. The same strategy can crack the wall of jihadist ideology.

The Education of a British-Protected Child

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

This collection of beautifully written autobiographical essays reveals much about the worldview of celebrated Nigerian author Chinua Achebe.

IAEA report: Iran tested advanced nuclear warhead design

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:22:00 PST

Portions of an IAEA report that were previously unpublished show evidence that Iran may have experimented with a more advanced nuclear warhead than thought. The news comes as talks with the West have largely stalled.

To comfort those who mourn at Fort Hood

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A Christian Science perspective.

Dressed to kill: Why clothe kids in camouflage?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Childhood is fleeting enough. Save the camo for later.

Mad Men's Don Draper effect

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

He's a suave role model, but what are viewers learning from his behavior?

Why the new $6,500 homebuyer tax credit is wrong

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Such government largess for the housing industry misdirects US savings away from investments into globally competitive businesses.

How can the jobless adapt to 10.2 percent unemployment rate?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Spot growing fields in the economy and then find a retraining center. But such schools need to adapt quickly, and require more resources.

Nidal Malik Hasan case: Are Army psychiatrists overwhelmed?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The shootings at Fort Hood Thursday point to a military mental-health system stretched to the breaking point. The suspect is an Army psychiatrist, Nidal Malik Hasan.

Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai rejoins troubled unity government – with conditions

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai , who had withdrawn from the powersharing government after Mugabe arrested a party leader, says he is giving the president 30 days to address oustanding issues. A regional coalition meeting in Mozambique pressed the leaders to resolve their differences..

Zelaya: US-brokered Honduras deal 'dead'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

An accord that would allow the Honduran Congress to vote to allow Manuel Zelaya back into the presidency is 'dead,' the ousted president said. US Sen. Jim DeMint has said the US will recognize Nov. 29 presidential elections regardless of whether Zelaya is returned to office, which many nations around the world have demanded.

Fort Hood shooting suspect: a man of contradictions

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Quiet and averse to weapons training, the suspect in the Fort Hood shooting is a study in contradictions. Scale of attack points to premeditation.

Fort Hood: What the right and the left have gotten wrong about Hasan

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The tragic shooting has spawned plenty of hysteria but little discussion about what we should do about potential Islamic terrorists in our midst.

Review: 'Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" By Sapphire'

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Sixteen-year-old Precious – illiterate, overweight, and pregnant again – is a study in quiet courage despite her nightmarish family life.

Review: 'The Maid'

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

In this Chilean film, Raquel's brooding after decades of service reveals a complex character and a deep-set sadness.

Review: 'The Men Who Stare at Goats'

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

George Clooney and Jeff Bridges star in this goofy comedy about a battalion of psychic soldiers perfecting their craft.

Review: 'Disney's A Christmas Carol'

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A 3-D animated take on Charles Dickens's classic story, with Jim Carrey voicing Scrooge – and the Ghosts.

Lit

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Mary Karr tells the story of her failed marriage, her struggles with alcohol and mental illness, and the peace she finally found in prayer.

UN to withdraw 600 staff from Afghanistan after Kabul attack

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:13:00 PST

After attacks in Afghanistan that killed five UN workers last week, the international body announced it is pulling out 600 of its foreign workers while it builds a fortified complex.

The Vatican's cynical gesture to Episcopalians

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Overtures to join Rome shouldn't be based on a Catholicism-lite.

Senses & Seasons (for Willow)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A poem.

Texting while driving: A crossing guard's view

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A woman using a cell phone rolls right through a stop sign.

Calling Obama a socialist hides the real debate

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

There's tension in the US over individual choice versus public good. That's why Obama has to get better at applying the power of individual incentives.

Catching good health, not swine flu

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

A Christian Science perspective.

After high-level trip to Burma (Myanmar), US seeks to lower expectations

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Burma (Myanmar) should take steps toward reform such as allowing Aung San Suu Kyi to enter 2010 elections, says US diplomat after a rare visit.

In Kenya, ICC Ocampo's arrival stokes new look at election violence

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrived in Kenya to investigate the political leaders who perpetrated violence after Kenya's disputed elections in December 2007. Some 1,500 people were killed.