Christian Science Monitor | USA

Israeli-Palestinian talks: no breakthroughs, but a way forward

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:05:06 GMT

The Israeli, Palestinian leaders agree to meet again in less than two weeks and to work on a ‘framework agreement for permanent status.’

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Florida governor race: Bud Chiles out, Rick Scott's No. 2 is Navy vet

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:06:58 GMT

Independent candidate Lawton "Bud" Chiles is dropping out of the Florida governor's race. He plans to back Democratic nominee Alex Sink. Republican candidate Rick Scott will announced Thursday that his Lt. Gov. will be State Rep. Jennifer Carroll.

Boxer-Fiorina debate: California economy is center stage

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:56:57 GMT

Boxer-Fiorna debate was gaffe-free but too scripted, analysts say. Sen. Barbara Boxer and GOP challenger Carly Fiorina faced off Wednesday night, drawing sharp distinctions between them.

Alaska senate race: Will Joe Miller win mean less federal money for Alaska?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:07:55 GMT

Alaska's Joe Miller is a fiscal conservative and front-runner for the senate seat now held by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Less seniority in the US Senate will likely mean fewer federal dollars for Alaska, say political observers.

Shocker: Republicans overwhelmingly white

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:42:14 GMT

Republicans are much more likely to be 'highly religious whites' than are Democrats or independents, Gallup data show.

No travel to 'terrorist' countries for Florida state universities: court

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:56:37 GMT

A challenge to a 2006 law banning state university-funded travel to countries the US deems sponsors of terrorism was struck down Tuesday. Florida-based international scholars say the decision will disrupt studies.

Hurricane Earl: hurricane-force gusts likely on Long Island Friday

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:48:47 GMT

Hurricane Earl forecasts still have the storm brushing the East Coast from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod. Some Long Island residents say they don't know what they should be doing to prepare.