Christian Science Monitor | USA

Immigration reform: After step forward in Senate, a leap back in House?

While Senate negotiators were able to sign off on a proposal for immigration reform, a bipartisan group in the House appears stuck on the issue of health care for newly legalized immigrants.

For Oklahoma tornado survivors, shock follows storm

The powerful tornado that swept through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore on Monday left 24 dead. As survivors survey the wreckage, they contemplate their luck, faith and building construction. The community has seen four tornados since 1998.

US acknowledges killing four American citizens in drone strikes

Attorney General Eric Holder acknowledged Wednesday that US drones have killed four American citizens in Pakistan and Yemen, justifying the attacks under US and international law. President Obama is scheduled to address the subject in a speech Thursday.

Arias jury deadlocked over death penalty

Arias jury deadlocked over whether to give life in prison or the death penalty. Jodi Arias was convicted of murdering her one-time boyfriend. The Arizona judge told the deadlocked jury to keep deliberating.

Obamas hosting Carole King: What's the special occasion?

When the Beatles got off the plane for the first time in the US, the first person they wanted to meet was Carole King. So, winning the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and a White House gig were events just waiting to happen.

How residents of tornado-struck Moore, Okla., have learned to survive (+video)

Moore residents say the Oklahoma City suburb's role as a big tornado bull's eye has made it a kind of laboratory of human survivability, and they're learning.

Anthony Weiner for N.Y.C. mayor? Why he is no Mark Sanford. (+video)

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner announced his candidacy Wednesday for mayor of New York City. But he will have a harder time than Rep. Mark Sanford did in staging a comeback.

Obama dials back drone strikes: 3 reasons why

Data collected by the media suggest that US drone strikes are declining. For President Obama, who has founded much of his counterterror strategy on drones, that's a significant development.

In Los Angeles mayor's race, a big win for Eric Garcetti

Eric Garcetti won convincingly in the biggest-spending race in L.A. history. The former city council president faces high-stakes negotiations with unions over the city's pension obligations.

IRS official Lois Lerner invokes Fifth Amendment. Why won't she talk? (+video)

Lawmakers have plenty of questions for Lois Lerner, the IRS official who ordered the targeting of conservative groups to stop, concerning her past statements. She said she did nothing wrong, but invoked her Fifth Amendment rights.

Tim Murray, Mass. Lt. Gov., to resign for private sector job

The board of directors of the private business group was expected to vote later Wednesday to confirm the appointment of Murray, a former mayor of Worcester, as president and chief executive.

With civil unions, Bisbee, Ariz., joins gay-rights revolt against red states

Bisbee, Ariz., tried to legalize same-sex civil unions but was shot down by the state. Now it has tweaked the measure to get it on the books, joining other cities in red states that are passing ordinances to promote gay rights.

Spurs 'block' Grizzlies in Game 2 of NBA Western Conference final

San Antonio defeated Memphis in overtime Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

FBI kills Chechen man during Boston bombing probe: What's known of him? (+video)

An FBI interrogation, part of the Boston bombing probe, ends in shooting death of a Chechen immigrant in Florida. The man reportedly knew suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev. FBI claims self-defense.

Senate panel passes immigration reform bill: how Republicans helped shape it (+video)

The immigration reform bill, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 13-to-5 vote Tuesday night, received some tweaks aimed at attracting more GOP support during its next key vote on the Senate floor.

Oklahoma tornado: In Moore, shock, kindnesses, and blessings counted

Disbelief and relief are etched into the faces of folks in Moore, Okla., as they take stock of their lives after taking the brunt of Monday's tornado. Acts of kindness, small and large, prompt many residents to count blessings.

Tucson photos released of Gabrielle Giffords shooting

Tucson photos released: More than 600 police photos were released Tuesday of the 2011 Tucson shooting that wounded 19 people and killed six others.

Terrorist watch lists: Are they working as they should?

Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev was one of 875,000 names in a database the US uses to produce at least nine watch lists, but the naming didn't prevent the attack. Some security experts worry that data overload may be hindering US counterterrorism efforts.

Tsarnaev friend killed in Orlando by FBI

Tsarnaev friend killed in Orlando: FBI agents swarmed the apartment of a Chechen man who as reportedly a friend of Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev. An FBI agent fatally shot the man.

Oklahoma tornado was stronger than Hiroshima bomb: How?

When the conditions are exactly right – and they were, for the tornado that devastated Oklahoma City yesterday – a tornado can unleash more power than the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima.