Election 2010 surprise: rise of black Republicans

The Republican Party has fielded more than 30 African-American candidates this year, renewing a historic alliance.

Indonesia volcano eruption sends villagers fleeing for the second time this week

The Indonesia volcano eruption is only smoke and ash and not life-threatening so far. But some warn that more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are on the way.

Ben Roethlisberger has suspension reduced by NFL commissioner

Ben Roethlisberger was suspended earlier this year for six games after having been accused of – but not charged with – sexual assault. Ben Roethlisberger now gets two of those games back.

In France, an Evangelical Gypsy group shakes up the immigration debate

In France, a movement from within the Gypsy community could temper what have been bad relations with European governments amid a hot immigration debate.

Should all the Bush tax cuts be extended?

The Bush tax cuts are set to expire this year.

Should all the Bush tax cuts be extended?

The Bush tax cuts are set to expire this year.

Mobile Phone Banking Comes to South Africa. Will It Work?

Vodacom's M-Pesa mobile phone banking service is all the rage in Kenya, where in 3 years it jumped to 10 million customers in a country of 37 million. But as M-Pesa launches in South Africa, it will find a market full of similar services, from cash-transfer windows at grocery stores to Western Union.

Will hurricane Earl rate in Top 10 most expensive hurricanes?

Hurricane Earl is threatening Cape Cod's expensive real estate. But it takes a lot more to be one of America's Top 10 costliest hurricanes. Which hurricanes made the list? Click the right arrow to see.

Want to turn your hobbies into cash?

A little knowledge about baseball cards, video games, or coins can turn a relaxing hobby into a profit-making venture.

Florida governor's race: Why is GOP sending well-heeled Rick Scott $2 million?

Rick Scott is one of the richest candidates running this year. But the Republican Governors Association is sending him $2 million for his Florida governor's race, perhaps as a peace offering.

South Africa seeks value-added China investment

South African President Jacob Zuma has asked for more China investment in infrastructure, which would create new jobs amid 25 percent unemployment.

Annual Gypsy festival livens Serbian town

The small town of Guca becomes the site of a spirited gypsy music festival for a week every year.

Unemployment rate up to 9.6 percent, but private sector gains jobs

Private employers added 67,000 jobs in August. But the unemployment rate ticked up from the July figure of 9.5 percent – in part because more people came back into the labor force to look for work.

Kenya could be punished for welcoming Sudan's leader

Kenya allowed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is facing war crime charges, to visit. The move was smart for domestic and regional politics, although it brought international criticism.

Nigeria's power industry reform needs more scrutiny

Nigeria's privatization plans for its power grid don't consider the role of the generator and diesel fuel industries, which may have an interest in holding up improvements.

NATO airstrike killed civilians, according to Afghan president

NATO airstrike on a car in northern Takhar province's normally quiet Rustaq district killed or wounded as many as 12 insurgents on Thursday, including a Taliban commander and a local head of an allied insurgent group.

Kabul Bank run may pose more immediate threat than Afghan Taliban

The Kabul Bank is a bedrock for a stable Afghan society. Its collapse could spell disaster for the country already battling a resurgent Afghan Taliban.

Murderesses Row: guns, gams, and glamour in 1920s Chicago

Douglas Perry, author of "The Girls of Murder City," talks about the true cases that inspired the musical "Chicago."

What's behind the drop in illegal immigrants in the US

Ferrari 458 Italia recalled, yes, but real news is how many owned in China

Of the five Ferrari 458 Italia supercars that combusted worldwide, two caught fire in China, highlighting the number of people in China who will pay $550,000 for a car.

In South Sudan, clan rivalries complicate referendum

If a referendum on South Sudan's independence ends with a vote for secession from Sudan, internal clan rivalries could complicate the transition to independence.

Do benefits outweigh the social costs of casinos?

The Dow vs. the economy

Stock market indexes like the Dow and the S&P500 have as much to do with the real economy as weather has to do with geology.

'I can’t find a job in this economy!'

Here are tips for getting beyond the problem and finding solutions - and a job.

Migrating again

A Christian Science perspective.

Three Stations

Smith’s seventh Arkady Renko novel serves as a textual "film noir" glimpse of today’s Russia.

Reader recommendation: The Road to Daybreak

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Bestselling books the week of 9/2/10, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.

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

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

Could Israeli-Palestinian talks bring peace?

Direct Middle East peace talks got under way today in Washington.

Race to the Top promises new era of standardized testing

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?

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

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.

Hurricane Earl bears down on Outer Banks, following well-worn path

Hurricane Earl is only the latest hurricane to put North Carolina in its path. The state has seen billions of dollars of damage since its founding.

Why Fox News has agreed to run an unflattering ad

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.

What are the real values behind buying local?

It may not always make sense to buy local. Consider what added value - or values - the local business offers, before making your decision.

Mariner Energy oil rig fire extinguished, no sign of oil spill in Gulf

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?

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 5 issues on the table for Israeli-Palestinian talks

These are the five most central issues that Israel and the Palestinian Authority need to address in the latest round of peace talks, which began Sept. 2.

Top Chef contestants compete to make astronaut meals

Sept. 1 episode of Bravo's reality show, 'Top Chef', featured a space-food challenge from NASA. The winner, Angelo Sosa, will have his short rib dish flown into orbit.