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Immigration reform: where things stand now

As congressional negotiators approach their self-imposed targets of early April to lay out immigration reform legislation, some notorious sticking points appear to be more well-settled than others.
9 musicians who have broken into the literary world

Here are nine other musicians who have published novels, short stories, poetry, and children’s books.
3 of the most-talked-about novels of fall 2012

Monitor fiction critic Yvonne Zipp reviews National Book Award finalist 'The Round House' and two other acclaimed fall novels.
Three lessons of Jeremiah Wright plan against Obama

News about a proposal to use the Rev. Jeremiah Wright against President Obama in a GOP “super PAC” ad campaign caused the political world to combust. Charges of “race-baiting” flew, and suddenly the idea was an orphan. It’s safe to say, the ads will never be made. But there are lessons to be learned.
Facebook stock: 6 intriguing investors

Facebook stock will make many people suddenly wealthy when it begins trading this Friday. The company is expected to be valued somewhere around $100 billion, with stock expected to sell anywhere between $34 and $38 per share. Here are six of the more unexpected people set to make a killing with initial public offering of Facebook stock, including a rock star, a graffiti artist, and pair of Mark Zuckerberg’s enemies.

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In Gear Bemoaning high gas prices, Californians take to Twitter

As reported in the LA Times, Californians have been venting their pump-shock frustration from the recent gas prices peak on Twitter and Facebook in droves, Gordon-Bloomfield writes.
California's dueling tax hikes: 'Nightmare' ahead?

California Gov. Jerry Brown has asked voters to approve Proposition 30, a tax hike that he says will save the state from fiscal disaster. But another tax plan on the ballot could muddy the waters.
Terrorism & Security Double blow to Mexico's Zetas? Top man Lazcano reportedly killed, another captured

The Mexican Navy reports there are 'strong indications' that marines killed Zetas top man Heriberto Lazcano. Could this mean the end for the Zetas, or trigger more violence?
Chapter & Verse Junot Diaz and other writers are awarded MacArthur genius grants

Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Diaz, reporter David Finkel, and writer Dinaw Mengestu were honored by the MacArthur Foundation, each receiving a $500,000 grant.
Potential voter registration fraud in Florida: GOP’s own 'ACORN' scandal?

The Republican Party fired a voter registration contractor this week after the firm turned in illegible, incorrect, and falsified voter registration forms to Florida election officials.
Curiosity rover makes contact with a Mars rock named 'Jake'

The next stop for the Mars rover: an intriguing mystery rock in the Mars Yellowknife sector that has the ability to retain daytime heat long into the night.
Pakistani officials disavowal minister's bounty offer on anti-Islamic filmmaker

On Saturday, Pakistan's railways minister told reporters that he would be willing to face arrest for announcing a $100,000 bounty on the makers of an anti-Islamic film that sparked violent protests.
Poll finds high level of distrust in the media. Anybody surprised?

A new Gallup survey finds most Americans have little or no trust in the media, especially Republicans and independents. Is this a dangerous trend in a democracy reliant on public information?
Fed easing: How many homeowners will it really help?

Federal Reserve's new push to ease mortgage rates won't help underwater homeowners and those with bad credit. Despite current low rates, two-thirds of homeowners have interest rates above 5 percent.
The Coptic Christian in California behind the anti-Islamic film

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a Coptic Christian, says that he helped with logistics for the film "Innocence of Muslims," which mocked Muslims. He denied directing the film. But there's evidence to suggest the filmmaker, Sam Bacile is an alias, which is strikingly similar to Nakoula's middle name.
Terrorism & Security Israel-US spat: A help to Iran? (+video)

A public row between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Obama administration is distracting the two allies from presenting a united front against Iran's nuclear program.
Terrorism & Security Netanyahu criticizes US refusal to draw a 'red line' on Iran

Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu expressed worry that Iran is closing in on the bomb, but he may also be looking for a way to 'back down gracefully' from threats to attack Iran.
Fed up, West Bank Palestinians tell leaders to fix the economy

The Palestinian Authority is on what observers say may be its shakiest ground yet as it faces a monthly $100 million shortfall and a population floundering amid economic hardship.
Caroline Kennedy compares Obama to JFK

Caroline Kennedy says President Obama 'has the quality my father most admired in public life – courage.' Caroline Kennedy spoke Thursday at the Democratic National Convention.
Blue moon: Two chances to see this rare event

Blue moon: Early risers will see the blue moon Friday morning and in the evening. What's a blue moon?
When do budget cuts go too deep?

The Republican National Convention and Hurricane Issac spotlight a conundrum for the GOP, reducing the size of the government sounds good until the waters start rising.
Is the end of late-night TV as we've known it near?

Two staples of late-night TV – 'The Tonight Show' and 'Nightline' – received bad news this month, suggesting that a recasting of the late-night order might not be far off.
Arctic ice shrinks to record low (+video)

Arctic sea ice has shrunk to the lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1979. Scientists say the new measurements indicate a fundamental change in the Arctic's sea ice coverage.
Horizons Facebook founder says stock prices 'painful' to watch

With Facebook stock at an all-time low, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has issued a rallying cry to his employees.
Julia Child's first recipe: shark repellent

Before becoming a celebrity chef, Julia Child, whom Google is celebrating on her 100th birthday, worked for the clandestine Office of Strategic Service, where she first put to use her latent culinary skills.
Terrorism & Security Free Syrian Army rejects claim that it bombed UN observers' Damascus hotel

The Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for a bombing in Damascus today, but insists the target was a gathering of top military officials, not UN observers, as state media reported.
Horizons As hacking victim's story spreads, Apple and Amazon tighten security

A tech journalist's online life was erased over the weekend – and the hackers used nothing more than easily-obtainable pieces of personal information to trick Apple and Amazon into letting them gain control of his accounts.
Central American peace accord celebrates 25 years, but has it brought peace?

The Esquipulas peace agreement succeeded in ending political and ideological strife, but it failed to create peaceful societies. Today Central America is one of the world's most violent regions.
Curiosity's Mars landing on track, say scientists

NASA's Curiosity is scheduled to land on Mars on Sunday. A dust storm and a wobble have added complexity to the mission, but scientists say, 'we will get there and get there safely.'
Syria: Kofi Annan steps down (+video)

Citing the Syrian government's intractability, increasing violence and the international community's lack of consensus, former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan announced his resignation. He says there is still a chance for Syria to avoid the worst, 'if the international community can show the courage and leadership necessary.'