Topic: Norfolk (Virginia)

Crowdsourcing: The art of a crowd

Crowdsourced art, also known as wiki-art, erases the line between artist and audience.

Five Somali pirates convicted of attacking US Navy ship

The five Somali pirates are believed to be the first people convicted of piracy in a US court in more than a century.

Historic Somali piracy trial in US wrapping up as German one opens

The Somali piracy trials, the first in centuries, have shed light on counterpiracy efforts. But some say the trials will not deter pirates, who have hijacked 37 ships in 2010 alone.

Democrats' bold stand: Want to trim federal debt? Cut defense.

On Wednesday, 56 Democrats and one Republican said that any effort to reduce the federal debt needs to include defense cuts. They called for an independent commission to take up the issue.

Difference Maker Liberia's only woman newspaper editor packs a 'Punch'

Ora Garway runs the tiny newspaper Punch, which despite its modest size has exposed the need for reform in Liberia, a West African country still recovering from a civil war.

Will Congress really cut the budget? Top 3 acid tests.

Three spending bills this fall will determine whether Congress is really serious about cutting the budget.

Somali pleads guilty in case of pirate attack on US warship

Jama Idle Ibrahim admitted in federal court Friday that he was one of several men who attempted on April 10 to commandeer what they believed was a merchant ship. It was actually a US warship, the USS Ashland. Ibrahim has agreed to testify against five other defendants.

School nutrition: Healthier ingredients, more education for 2010-11

School nutrition has advanced for the 2010-11 school year as parents, children, and government programs push healthy menu options.

America’s biggest jobs program: The US military

If we didn’t have the military to employ millions of Americans, the US unemployment rate would be over 11.5 percent today instead of 9.5 percent. Is having a massive military jobs program the best way to employ Americans?

General Odierno: Al Qaeda in Iraq faces serious financial crunch

General Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, said in a Monitor interview that US and Iraqi forces have broken large Al Qaeda in Iraq rings that extorted millions of dollars a year from companies.

The US role in the rise of China

Opinion: How the US and China can avoid conflict

If China and America are to maintain cooperation, both need to manage China’s rise effectively. The oil arena is an important place to start.

World's largest inflatable vehicle -- Bullet 580 airship -- inflated and ready for action

Wow! The Bullet 580 airship is as long as a 23-floor skyscraper and can reach top speeds of 80mph.

How Times Square bomb arrests unite US, Pakistan

Pakistan's arrest of two suspected members of the Pakistan Taliban connected to the attempted Times Square bomb show that it is taking seriously the threat of militants within its borders.

Eleven alleged Somali pirates indicted in US federal court

The alleged Somali pirates face charges of piracy and plunder, charges not typically heard – at least since the 18th century. What they thought were commercial vessels were actually US Navy warships. That was a big mistake.

Opinion: US high-speed rail to the rescue

Bullet trains will save time, money, and the environment.

Haiti earthquake: The nations that are stepping up to help

Pledges of financial and material aid to Haiti continue to roll in from around the globe. A look at what nation's are doing to help.

Iraq: US military contractor burns recyclables, violating contract

KBR was contracted to recycle cafeteria waste at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. Such spotty accountability is coming under new scrutiny; an Oct. 30 report reveals that transactions worth $10.7 billion are being audited.

Are aging ships still a toxic export?

Environmental groups worry that the practice of reflagging US commercial ships that may have PCBs so they can be scrapped abroad is beginning again.

'Python posse' set to hunt Florida snakes. Is it overkill?

Most are feral – the offspring of pets let loose in the wild. Some say their danger to humans is actually low.

How the US crew fought off Somali pirates

For the first time, crewmembers of the Maersk Alabama share details of their Indian Ocean encounter

Opinion: Why my students asked Obama to play chess with them

It could help keep them and students like them in school.

Opinion: Reports of America's decline are greatly exaggerated

Here are six reasons why US economic clout will endure.