Christian Science Monitor | All Stories

Toyota class-action suit worth up to $1.6 billion on the way

Toyota had to recall millions of vehicles with breaking problems in 2010, and a class action lawsuit worth up to $1.6 billion will be decided next month.

Report reveals inmates suffer high levels of sexual abuse from guards

A new report by the Justice Department found prison inmates in Indianapolis, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Philadelphia suffered a higher-than-average rate of sexual abuse at the hands of guards.

AP CEO says sources are reluctant to talk after Justice Department probe

The chief executive and president of the Associated Press said the Justice Department's investigation and the seizure of the news agency's phone records are having a negative impact on news gathering.

South Korea: The little dynamo that sneaked up on the world

South Korea, long in the shadow of other Asian 'tiger economies,' is suddenly hip and enormously prosperous – so much so that it may have outgrown its thankless dream of reuniting with the North.

Netanyahu: Israel will take action to prevent Syrian 'weapons leakage' to Hezbollah

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel would prevent the movement of weapons from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. He made no mention of past or future air strikes.

With Algeria's president ill, country prepares for new era

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, believed to have suffered a stroke, has not made a public appearance in three weeks. The country must now prepare for their first leader from a generation too young to have fought for independence from France.

And the Powerball winner is... someone in Florida

The winning ticket for the record-breaking $590.5 million Powerball was sold in Zephyrhills Florida. The ticket-holder has not yet come forward.

The good news – and the bad news – for Obama in scandal-tinged polls

Despite a trio of political scandals, President Obama's approval rating has not slipped in public opinion polls. But most Americans don't think much of the way the administration has handled the issues, and they believe further investigation is justified.

In first trip abroad, Chinese premier visits India

In an effort to expand economic cooperation and resolve a border dispute, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in India Sunday, his first trip abroad since taking office in March.

Hofstra student killed by police during home invasion

Andrea Rebello, a 21-year-old student at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, N.Y., died Friday when police fired on an intruder who had entered her home. The intruder was also killed by police.

With Hezbollah's help, Syrian troops push to regain Lebanese border areas

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30 people, including 16 rebel fighters and one woman, were killed in Qusair in morning fighting, but that the death toll was expected to rise.

Six ways to save on moving day

Moving is a hassle, to the point where many people prefer a trip to the dentist. But these money-saving strategies can make moving a little cheaper.

Gay man shot point-blank in Greenwich Village hate crime

In New York City's Greenwich Village, a neighborhood long known for its acceptance of same-sex couples, a gay man was shot at point-blank range on Saturday. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly called the act a hate crime.

Pakistan heads back to the polls, senior politician killed

A bloody campaign season in which about 150 people were killed nationwide ended with the death of Zara Shahid Hussain, a top politician in Pakistan's Tehrik-i-Insaf party. On Sunday, some constituencies accused of vote-rigging voted again.

North Korea pops off another projectile into the Pacific

It's not clear if North Korea fired a short-range missile or an artillery round. The isolated regime also launched three missiles on Saturday, causing no damage.

Water may reshape energy industry

Demand for fresh water could exceed supply by an estimated 40 percent by 2030, pushing up prices for the water-intensive energy industry. Soaring water prices would help wind, solar, and natural gas, but hurt coal and nuclear plants.

Will Pinterest ruin your wedding?

As wedding costs rise, gap grows between expectations and budget. Some blame the high aspirations set by image-rich social websites, like Pinterest.

Are you a weddings expert? Take the quiz.

Think you know weddings? Take this comprehensive 21-question quiz to test your knowledge on a wide array of wedding-related topics, including the origins of certain customs, who pays for what, and fashion – what the heck is a 'fascinator,' anyway?

Red Moon

Benjamin Percy's supernatural novel is audaciously complex and hauntingly composed.

Volcano ash 15,000 feet high: How Alaska threatens air travel (+video)

Volcano ash 15,000 feet high is billowing from Alaska's Pavlof Volcano. It's not high enough to affect international air travel, but Pavlof is just one of a string of active Alaska volcanoes that sits beneath the flight corridor between the US and Asia.

Travel: A visit to a Cambodian pepper plantation (+video)

Starling Farms outside of Kampot, Cambodia, grows and harvests by hand the black, red, and white pepper that has become a culinary delicacy among chefs around the world.

Car drives into a crowd at Appalachian Trail hikers' parade

Car drives into a crowd at a parade in Virginia Saturday. The car, driven by an elderly man, injured 50 to 60 people, but there were no fatalities in the crowd.

Saudi woman scales Everest for first time

Saudi woman scales Everest with group of 64 climbers Saturday. Raha Moharrak, a 25-year old graphic designer, is the first Saudi woman to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

'Star Trek Into Darkness': Reverential but too derivative (+video)

'Star Trek Into Darkness' is visually top notch. But 'Into Darkness' ends up zigzagging fitfully through the Enterprise's greatest hits.

Did the Associated Press blow an Al Qaeda informant's cover?

Some officials say the Associated Press scoop on a thwarted terrorist plot by an Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen harmed the effort to neutralize a master bomb-builder. Does that excuse the Obama administration's aggressive crackdown on national security leaks?

Moon hit by boulder-size meteoroid, causing 'explosion' visible from earth (+video)

If you had been looking up at the moon at the right moment on March 17, you could have seen a one-second burst of heat caused by the impact of a large meteoroid.

Showgirls dressed as Obama at Berlusconi's 'bunga bunga' parties

Showgirls dressed as Obama, Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho, as well as nuns and nurses at former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's parties. Karima El Mahroug testified about showgirls dressing up at a prostitution trial in Italy.

Collision closes New York area train route as NTSB investigates (+video)

A team from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived Saturday to investigate a commuter rail collision that caused a prominent railroad line near New York City to be partially closed.

Teach kids personal finance through experience: six tips

When teaching older children and teenagers about personal finance, experience is key. Here are six real-life experiences that can get them on the right financial track.

Facebook IPO: a bittersweet one-year anniversary

One year after the disastrous Facebook IPO, the company is making strides in mobile ad revenue, but its stock price is still far below its original IPO price. Also this week: Consumer sentiment hits six-year high; retail sales rise unexpectedly; and the world has a new (old) richest person.

The South welcomes 'crazy ants.' Hail the latest invader

'Crazy ants' from South America are hitching rides across the South, setting up massive colonies, and relieving other occupying ant armies, including fire ants, of their duties.

Google Glass worries lawmakers, casino operators

New wearable computers are drawing concerns from some about policy and privacy issues. Others say such worries stem primarily from a fear of change. Discussions continue about the appropriate place for such technology in varied social situations.

IRS scandal becomes Republican battering ram against Obamacare (+video)

Republicans lawmakers say the scandal over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny of conservative groups raises new doubts about President Obama’s health-insurance reform law.

Cause of Connecticut train crash: Debris on the track? (+video)

An investigation is underway to determine what caused a New Haven-bound train to collide with a New York City-bound train in Connecticut on Friday night. Dozens were hospitalized following the crash on what is the busiest rail line in America, serving 125,000 commuters daily.

Plane makes belly landing at Newark airport (+video)

Plane makes belly landing Saturday with no injuries. A US Airways flight from Philadelphia made an emergency belly landing in Newark when the landing gear could not be lowered.

Obama: Carole King concert at White House

Obama: Carole King will be presented the Gershwin Prize by President Obama during a White House concert. In addition to Carole King, the concert will include Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sandé, James Taylor, and Trisha Yearwood.

Florida shortens yellow lights, traffic tickets soar

Florida recently shortened the legal length for yellow lights, and red-light cameras generated $100 million for the state last year. But shorter yellow lights could pose a safety threat.

Sea of protesters fills streets in Rome

Thousands took to the streets on Saturday to protest austerity measures and advocate for job creation and workers' rights in Italy. The country is experiencing its longest recession since 1970, with unemployment rates soaring.

Powerball jackpot: Largest in history? (+video)

Officials predict last-minute sales will push the $600 million jackpot in Saturday night's Powerball lottery upward. The question remains whether these sales will push these possible winnings over the largest jackpot in history, $656 million (set by Mega Millions in March 2012).

Milwaukee bra ban is lifted after publicity campaign

Milwaukee bra ban: A Milwaukee city inspector cited a bowling alley and bar for hanging dozens of bras from the ceiling as a fire hazard. But the owner used publicity to get the bra ban lifted.