Topic: Boston

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
3 new novels grapple with questions of mortality

Three new works of fiction address themes of mortality, including a ghost – in an Anne Tyler novel.
How 5 young black men see the Trayvon Martin case

The Monitor approached, at random, five young black men in Boston, Los Angeles, Coral Gables, Fla., and Louisville, Ky., and asked them to talk about the Trayvon Martin case, race relations, hoodies, and, of course, their own life experiences. Here's what they had to say.
'Game Change': 5 revelations from the book

As the bestselling book 'Game Change' becomes an HBO movie, here are the 5 most interesting stories from the book.
From Wilt Chamberlain to Jeremy Lin: 10 NBA 'firsts'

Jeremy Lin's rise on the NBA radar provides the impetus to look back at Wilt Chamberlain's highest-scoring game and nine other NBA 'firsts.'

All Content

Who is Mansoor Ijaz? The US businessman behind Pakistan's 'Memo-gate'

A whistle blowing hero to some, a villain doing the Pakistan military's dirty work to others, Ijaz is above all a mysterious anomaly.
Toddlers to tweens: relearning how to play

Children's play is threatened, say experts who advise that kids – from toddlers to tweens – should be relearning how to play. Roughhousing and fantasy feed development.
Cover Story
The games kids no longer play

Experts say the more creatively children play, the less lucrative it is for toy makers. They advocate returning to the games kids no longer play.
Enormous solar outburst could dazzle your weekend

Auroras may dazzle more people than usual this weekend as Earth receives a glancing blow from an enormous solar outburst that erupted on Jan. 19.
Why does Mitt Romney have money in the Caymans? Two potential reasons.

The Cayman Islands used to be known as a 'tax haven.' That's not necessarily true anymore, but there could be other reasons for Mitt Romney use the Caymans to store his millions.
'A Separation' probes Iranians' conflicted love for their country, says director

Using a failing marriage as a metaphor, the acclaimed film 'A Separation' juxtaposes Iranians' great love for their country with growing despair that they may be forced to leave it in search of a better life.
Afro-pop bands hop continents

In U.S., African musicians find more opportunity and audiences.
Is Mitt Romney really a job creator? What his Bain Capital record shows.

Mitt Romney is running for president on his business acumen, saying he knows what it takes to create jobs. He puts less emphasis on what he knows about eliminating jobs. Marion, Ind., has experienced both via Romney and Bain Capital.
Unlocking the mystery of Romney's 15 percent tax rate. Yes, it's legal.

Mitt Romney can pay a tax rate of 15 percent because his income, from investment firm Bain Capital, is structured as capital gains in the form of 'carried interest.' Here's how it works.
If Rick Santorum won Iowa, why is GOP calling it a 'split decision'?

Rick Santorum got 34 more votes than Mitt Romney but official results will call it a 'split decision,' reports The Des Moines Register.
'The Real Romney': 10 facts about the presidential hopeful

From the biography that aims to show America the 'real' politician, here are 10 facts about Mitt Romney, the candidate some voters still feel they don't know
Occupy Wall Street? No, divest from it.

A growing bank divestment movement is pushing universities to move their money from big banks to small local financial institutions. So far, bank divestment successes are few and far between.
Mormons like Mitt Romney more than Jon Huntsman but question his electability

A new survey shows a large discrepancy in how American Mormons view the two Mormon candidates for president, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. But many doubt that America is ready to elect a Mormon president.
Change Agent
Julie Leven brings classical music to homeless shelters

Through Shelter Music Boston, Julie Leven brings live music to residents that feeds their souls and makes them feel 'elegant.'
Progress Watch
US crime rate at lowest point in decades. Why America is safer now.

The crime rate for serious crimes, including murder, rape, and assault, has dropped significantly since the early 1990s in part because of changes in technology and policing, experts say.
Unemployment rate falls to 8.5%; GOP still using jobs as battering ram (+video)

The US economy netted 200,000 new jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell. Even as Democratic politicians hail the jobs report, Republicans say any number above 8 percent is unacceptable by now.
Reformed Van Halen performs intimate NYC gig

David Lee Roth reunited with Eddie and Alex Van Halen to play an intimate show at New York's historical Cafe Wa?
Obama plan to boost teen employment could be an uphill battle

The national unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6 percent, but the level of teen joblessness has remained high. So, on Thursday, President Obama encouraged the private sector to step up their hiring of young people.
Jon Huntsman looks to pull a 'Rick Santorum' in New Hampshire

Jon Huntsman has made numerous appearances in New Hampshire, but local political observers are skeptical about whether he can connect with a sufficient range of voters in Tuesday's primary.
L.A. arson spree: Investigators drill down on motive

Harry Burkhart was arrested Monday in connection with the L.A. arson spree where more than 50 fires were started over four days. Pinpointing a motive is made difficult by ravaged crime scenes.
Starbucks price hike: 10 cents more for 'tall' in New York – but not L.A.

Starbucks says rising costs for coffee and fuel mean it must increase the price for some of its 'tall' coffee cups. But the Starbucks price hike is not uniform across the country.
Global News Blog
2011 Reflections: What happened to the US debate on Afghanistan?

Seven Monitor correspondents reflect on the world's hot spots. In this installment, Ben Arnoldy is bothered by silence on the war because, unlike him, US troops can’t choose when to come home.
Antiabortion ads from outlier presidential candidate raise eyebrows

Antiabortion activist Randall Terry, running for president as a Democrat, is running graphic ads about abortion in early primary states. Free-speech rules allow federal candidates to run uncensored ads.
Change Agent
Seeking justice for victims across borders

The nonprofit group CJA tracks down those who commit crimes in one country and flee to another – and hauls them into court.
Retailers gearing up for big pre-Christmas shopping in next two days

Fathers and other pre-Christmas procrastinators are expected to hit the stores in force on Friday, kicking off a calendar-enhanced flurry of holiday shopping that should warm retailers' hearts.