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Senate Republicans plead for a budget as frustrations boil over

Senate Republicans proposed five budgets Wednesday, but the Democratic-controlled Senate defeated them all. Republicans say Democrats are punting on tough choices, Democrats say they already have a budget.

How Greek economic woes could help US consumers

Fears that Greece may default on its debt are spurring interest in US Treasury bonds, driving down interest rates on mortgages and auto loans – but not (alas) for credit card debt.

Are univerisites scared of the online learning movement?

Mainline universities loudly proclaim their love of online learning — and pedagogical innovation more generally — while doing everything possible to slow it.

Mitt Romney raising money at home of 'morning-after pill' exec

The $50,000-a-plate fundraiser Wednesday night is at the Miami home of Phil Frost, chairman of Teva Pharmaceuticals, which makes 'morning-after pills.' Mitt Romney opposes their use, calling them 'abortive pills.'

Is Washington careening toward another debt limit crisis?

Another showdown appears to be brewing over the national debt limit – and under what conditions Congress will raise it next time. But something big will happen between now and then that may prevent it.

Greek turmoil causes US stocks to slide

The Dow lost 33 points to close at 12598, continuing its rocky performance during the month of May.

Carlos Fuentes: Tribute to a Mexican literary and political icon

Carlos Fuentes belonged to a generation of Latin American writers who were both literary and political, author and social commentator. Fuentes was a public intellectual.

Half as many women die during pregnancy, childbirth as in 1990

Worldwide, maternal mortality has been cut in half in the past 20 years, says a new UN-World Bank report. India and Nigeria accounted for about one-third of the 287,000 deaths in 2010 attributed to problems during pregnancy or childbirth.

Spurs go 'old school' to beat Clippers in Game 1 of NBA Western semifinals

San Antonio's version of the 'Big Three' - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili - led the Spurs' effort Tuesday night against the LA Clippers.

20 ways to save on your summer vacation

Your summer vacation doesn't have to break the bank. By being flexible in your travel plans, checking multiple sites for deals, and dining out less, you can save a bundle on your getaway.

College rankings: Which countries have the best education systems?

A new higher education ranking focuses on evaluating quality by countries as a whole, as opposed to specific academic institutions. Universitas 21, an organization of 23 research universities across 15 countries, published its first ranking of countries “which are ‘best’ at providing higher education.” Universitas 21’s report, published by the University of Melbourne in Australia, ranked 48 countries in all. Here are some of their findings:

What the world's poor can teach us on jobs

The prospect of long-term joblessness in Europe and the US should focus attention on a new type of economics that seems to work for helping the worst-off in poor countries.

Larry Bird named NBA Executive of the Year

Larry Bird, once a league MVP and Coach of the Year, has been named the NBA's top executive. The Indiana Pacers have gone through a resurgence this season under Larry Bird.

What would a Greek exit from the eurozone look like?

Rumors are rife of a Greek exit from the eurozone. While no country has yet dropped the common currency, there are some indications of what will transpire if Greece does.

Will stocks crash like it's 1987? Not this year.

The potential for a summer stock market crash (like the one that happened in 1987) is low, because the market environment now is very different from the market then.

Child drug traffickers: What can be done?

Between 5,000 and 14,000 children are recruited as soldiers in Colombia, writes a guest blogger, and the recruitment of minors by gangs is increasingly a problem across Latin America.

South Sudan refugee influx strains Kenyan camps

Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, whose population thinned out as South Sudanese went home following a 2005 peace deal, is filling once more as Sudan and South Sudan return to fighting.

Housing permits on the rise

Single family housing permits, increased a notable 1.9 percent from March to 475,000 single family units, and increased 18.5 percent above the level seen in April 2011, but still remained an astonishing 73.58 percent below the peak in September 2005.

Diamond sells for $9.7 million at Swiss auction

Diamond sells for $9.7 million in an auction in Geneva. Marie de Medici wore the 34.98 carat Beau Sancy diamond at her coronation as Queen Consort of Henry IV in France in 1610.

The Wind Through the Keyhole

The Wind Through the Keyhole" – a "Dark Tower"-related novel set in the fictional Mid-World – is unlikely to be ranked among Stephen King’s top works, but it's still plenty entertaining.

Reader recommendation: Reading Lyrics

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Carlos Fuentes: 5 best novels

He was a renaissance man of astounding ambition, a Mexican ambassador, political provocateur, cultural commentator, social critic, historian, playwright, essayist, editor, and dashing ladies’ man, but most of all, the late Carlos Fuentes was a literary lion of towering intellect. As a literary intellectual who crossed cultures easily thanks to his ambassador-father and itinerant youth, Fuentes raised the profile of Spanish-language literature around the globe during the second half of the 20^th century. Throughout his decades-long literary career “the guerilla dandy,” so dubbed for the left-leaning Fuentes’s debonair style, produced more than 20 books, including novels, short story collections, essays, and commentaries. Here we remember five of his best.

Betty White on safari in Washington for new animal picture book

Actress Betty White goes on safari to Washington National Zoo for her new animal picture book.

Romney's former rivals gloss over earlier anti-Romney remarks

One by one — with the exception of holdout Ron Paul — the GOP also-rans have coughed up endorsements of their onetime rival.

Why Sarah Palin's pick could triumph in Nebraska's US Senate race in fall

Tuesday's victory by Deb Fischer, who had the endorsement of Sarah Palin in the Nebraska GOP Senate primary, is an upset. But Fischer may in fact be the strongest Republican to run against Democrat Bob Kerrey, analysts say.

Russia's protest movement shows staying power, despite today's dispersal

Moscow police broke up a weeklong protest encampment today, but activists just moved it elsewhere, showing authorities they might be in for a hard fight against Russia's protest movement.

On eve of Facebook IPO, GM pulls millions in ads

General Motors yanks $10 million in Facebook ads. Will this affect the Facebook IPO?

John Edwards trial: Defense rests without calling former senator or mistress

Defense lawyers concentrated on whether former US Senator John Edwards broke federal campaign finance laws.

Jay-Z music break for baby Blue reflects new daddy nurturer trend

Jay-Z takes a music break to "hang out" with his new baby Blue Ivy Carter. He reflects a new trend as daddy nurturer – most white collar men polled ina a new study want to spend more time at home with their new babies.

'The Dictator' rides into Cannes on a camel (+video)

'The Dictator' aka Sacha Baron Cohen made another splashy entrance, arriving in character and on a camel at the Cannes Film Festival.

Obama on 'The View': Were hosts too easy on him? (+video)

The format of 'The View' may allow a skilled politician a lot of control over the message. President Obama skirted around some questions about gay marriage and financial-markets reform.

Report: Trayvon Martin beat, bloodied George Zimmerman. Game-changer?

A medical report showing that Trayvon Martin hit George Zimmerman hard enough to draw blood on his face and head has made a second-degree murder conviction a long shot, say experts.

SpaceX launch: A step-by-step guide (+video)

If all goes well on Saturday, SpaceX will launch the very first commercial visit to the International Space Station. Here is how the trip is expected to go.

Someone deserve a gold star? Tell them, and everyone is happier

The giving and receiving of praise is one of life's most exquisite pleasures, says our happiness expert.

Want the newest iPhone? Wait six months.

Newly released products are exciting, but having the patience to wait for a markdown will pay off big in the long run.

New York mom gets jail for threats over Little League

A suburban New York mom was sentenced to 50 days in jail for threats to a Little League official over her son not making the team.

Let it be: learning to let go and live in the moment

Let it be: learning to let go and live in the moment instead of constantly worrying about the future implications of yours and your children's emotions. Take a deep breath and simply accept what's happening right now.

From a ride in Ronald Reagan's limo, lessons on authenticity

On my first limousine ride alone with Ronald Reagan as a senior aide, he told me how much his mother shaped his beliefs. One thing about President Reagan, you knew what he believed in. Many voters may have a difficult time finding such rock-solid conviction in Romney or Obama.

Creating jobs while reducing the deficit: hard but possible

Just because deficit spending in general can be helpful in a recession and recovery and harmful in general in a recovered economy, doesn’t mean all deficit spending is equally good in a recession and recovery, or all deficit spending is equally bad in a full-employment economy. There are benefits and costs in either situation.

Wilted swiss chard with pine nuts and oranges

A salad to satisfy spring cravings.