World


Honduras interim leader announced Thursday he intends to leave the presidency for about a week. But ousted President Zelaya is no closer to getting back in.


Top Iraq election official says the Iraq elections cannot be held by the January deadline. US Gen. Ray Odierno reserved judgment on whether a delay would affect the US withdrawal.


An Iran nuclear deal could be secured by year's end, UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Friday. Iran rejected the current deal Wednesday, but left room for a compromise.


New Moon opening night strikes on Nov. 27 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Eighth-grader Rea will be there with 20 of her closest friends.


New Moon opening night is Dec. 4 in India. The first movie, which Ritisha Mishra petitioned for, opens Nov. 20.


New Moon opening night is a ways off in China, but the first Twilight movie opens there officially next week. Despite a lack of vampire lore in China, young women are snapping up the books and pirated movies.


In Guatemala, drug trafficking, gang violence, and a climate of impunity lead to widespread rape of women. At least 10,000 women were victims of sexual violence last year.


As hope fades for an Iran nuclear deal before the end of the year, UN Security Council members discussed possible sanctions at a meeting in Brussels.


New Moon opening night is bringing out the fan base – largely teen girls – around the globe.

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USA


Reported hate crimes dropped 2 percent in 2008 from 2007 levels. Is rising 'atmosphere of rage' a threat to gains?


The University of California Thursday decided on a 32 percent fee hike to make up for slashed state funding. Student protests flare on campuses.


Any surge of US troops to Afghanistan is likely to be tougher than it was in Iraq, because of the dearth of good roads and airfields, say defense officials.


In the wake of the Fort Hood shooting, the Pentagon will conduct an inquiry to assess its ability to identify and root out internal threats. The review will be headed by two retired service chiefs.


New York's federal courts have seen many major terrorist trials since the early 1990s, several involving Al Qaeda-linked operatives.


With a $20.7 billion shortfall expected over the next 18 months, the California budget crisis remains severe. Economic recovery may help ease the budget crunch, but many say true reform is needed.


Several lawmakers and terror experts at Senate hearings on the Fort Hood shooting Thursday called the incident a terrorist attack, and warned of the danger of homegrown jihad.


Biggest opportunity for Great American Smokeout 2009 is in West Virginia, where 1 in 4 residents smokes.


When and how mammoths and mastodons went extinct has long puzzled scientists. But a new study suggests the animals vanished much earlier than previously thought.


Retailers hoping for Black Friday crowds like wintery weather, which reminds people of the holidays. Meteorologists predict that's what they'll get on that big shopping day after Thanksgiving.


An Illinois woman is charged with a hate crime for berating a Muslim woman about the Fort Hood shooting and then pulling at her headscarf. The charge could lead to three years in prison: justice or prosecutorial overkill?

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Commentary


As they confront Iran's nuclear aims, negotiators must mind the Shiite doctrine of deceit called 'taqiyya.'


If parents prime children only for success, how will they ever be able to survive in the real world?


You probably never heard of the new president and foreign policy chief of the European Union – Belgian Herman Van Rompuy and Briton Catherine Ashton. That may be their strength.


Readers write about dressing children in camouflage, hurricane Katrina, Social Security, and Israel's stake in peace.
Today's Cartoon

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Arts & Entertainment


The latest in the 'Twilight' series, 'New Moon' follows a moping Bella who continues to have poor choice in men.


Sandra Bullock plays a feisty Southern belle in this true story of a wealthy family who takes in a near-homeless black boy and nurtures his talent for football.


'The Messenger' is an understated character study of two Army officers assigned to inform families that their loved one has been killed.


Werner Herzog's 'Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans' casts Nicolas Cage as a cop who becomes increasingly unhinged by gambling debts and drug use.

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The Home Forum


A Christian Science perspective.

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Peter Grier

The Monitor's Peter Grier talks with reporter Ron Scherer about how Black Friday will effect the economy this year.




Making a difference
Making a Difference

What happens when ordinary people decide to pay it forward? Extraordinary change. See how individuals are making a difference, finding solutions, overcoming adversity, and giving back globally.

Batdorj Gongor convinces residents to set up savings groups as a way of teaching them the power they gain by banding together in neighborhoods.

Lee Lawrence

People making a difference: Batdorj Gongor

In Mongolia, he shows former nomads how working together benefits everyone.