Topic: Adoption

Death of Russian-born boy in US reignites adoption debate

A 9-year-old Russian boy adopted by US parents died in a house fire last week, reminding Russians of several incidents of poor treatment of Russian orphans adopted by Americans.

Romney eager to shift conversation from gay rights to economy

On Friday, Romney is set to discuss jobs and the economy in North Carolina, the state that just approved a constitutional ban on same-sex unions that helped turn attention to gay rights.

Romney denies bullying students for being gay in high school

The GOP candidate did apologize for school pranks, however, calling them "stupid."

Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.

International adoption rates plummet, domestic numbers rise

International adoption rates are plummeting because of a crackdown on baby-selling, tighter international regulation, an under-peformoming global economy, and backlash from various kidnapping scandals. Domestic adoptions – around the globe – are increasing.

The new normal in adoption: Birth parent no longer secret

A new survey shows that more than 55 percent of adoption cases are fully open -- and 95 percent involve at least some relationships between birth parent and adoptive family.

Vatican Secret Archives: 6 of the most intriguing documents in church history

One hundred documents held in the Vatican’s Secret Archives are now on display in Rome for the first time. Read our list here of six standouts.

10 sequels based on a classic book

10 authors who wrote a novel based in another author's literary world.

7 of the best young adult novels of 2011

Here are seven of my favorite young adult novels of 2011.

Finding Fernanda

Two mothers – one in the US, one in Guatemala – seek the same child in this exposé of the abuses of the international adoption system.

Five surprising facts from the new Steve Jobs biography

Steve Jobs, the man who put the "i" in technology, was a fascinating character who continues to inspire and confound. Why the black turtlenecks? How did he foresee (create?) the iPhone revolution? What was the secret to his presentation style?

Walter Isaacson's new book "Steve Jobs," which just hit stores, attempts to answer these questions. The 571-page biography released on Oct. 24 to glowing reviews. The author conducted more than 100 interviews for the book – including more than 40 with the Apple CEO himself.

Here are five of key excerpts.

Reader recommendation: Secret Daughter

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

10 tell-alls by children with famous parents

Ten of the most talked-about memoirs from children with famous parents

Supreme Court rejects appeal in gay couple's adoption case

The Supreme Court action Tuesday means Louisiana does not have to amend the birth certificate of a local boy adopted by an unmarried gay couple living in New York, to record them as his parents.

Steve Jobs's 2005 Stanford commencement address

In 2005, Apple and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs delivered the commencement address to graduating students at Stanford University. Here is the full text and video of his speech.

Dolores Hope, widow of Bob Hope, remembered as singer and philanthropist (video)

Dolores Hope, wife of the late entertainer Bob Hope, passed away early this week. A fine singer and dancer in her own right, Dolores Hope left the stage to raise their family.

iBIO of Steve Jobs

Obama's father spoke of adoption. Which presidents actually were?

Barack Obama Sr. apparently discussed adoption before little Barack was born, according to news reports. It didn't happen, but two US presidents were, or considered themselves to be, adopted.

7 best books of June: Amazon editors' favorite picks

Some of this summer's most interesting books will taken you traveling: from suburban Vermont to 19th-century Paris, from the sweltering Amazon to 1950s communist China, and from psychological thriller to sci-fi apocalypse. Here are seven of the titles that drew the most enthusiastic thumbs-up from the editors at Amazon.com.

A Mother's Day gift for America: support services for adoptive families

While we've made big progress in placing kids in adoptive families, we've done little to provide post-adoption support to these children and their families. When we don't provide such services, we guarantee that some families will dissolve, at great cost to children, parents, and taxpayers.

Message From An Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Love and Loss

The unbearably sad stories of China's abandoned baby girls.

Pentagon: 'Don't ask, don't tell' could be gone by September

Pentagon officials told Congress on Friday that 'don't ask don't tell' – regulations prohibiting the service of openly gay or lesbian troops – could cease being military policy within six months.

Adoption fairs are speed dating for kids. Families need 'arranged marriages' instead.

Adoption fairs, where foster children and prospective parents mingle, are like 'speed dating.' They're ineffective and damaging. I would know, as I was adopted by parents I met at one of these fairs. States should instead use 'arranged marriages' to match children with well-prepared parents.

Oprah's sister: How Oprah came to learn a family secret

Oprah's sister: Oprah said on her show Friday that she had been 'keeping a family secret for months.' On Monday, the television host revealed that she had a long-lost half sister.