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2013 Pulitzer Prize winners: 4 excellent books

Months before the Pulitzer Prize committee got there, the Monitor's book critics had already let readers know that these four books were something special. Here's why.

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Why volcanoes scream before they blow up

Researchers have recorded an Alaskan volcano's 'scream' before it erupted, and are now closer to understanding what made it do so.
Readers Write: Teaching isn't one directional; Steve Jobs' misunderstood graduation speech

Letters to the Editor for the July 8, 2013 weekly print edition:Articles on the transformation of higher learning too often mis-portray professors as performing static, scripted lectures. Rather, teaching is dynamic communication.Steve Jobs's 2005 message to Stanford graduates wasn't about the pursuit of selfish interest over service to mankind. Rather, using your unique gifts will naturally encompass service to the world.
NASA chooses eight new astronauts, four of them women

The eight new astronauts are expected to man some of NASA's boldest, most anticipated new missions, including travel to Mars.
Terrorism & Security South Korea calling, but North pretends that nobody is home

North Korea's refusal to take South Korea's phone calls has dashed hopes for proposed peace talks.
Opinion This graduation season, let's remember the 20th century

Steve Jobs told college graduates to follow their inner passion. John F. Kennedy told them to solve the world's problems. At graduation ceremonies, speakers should remind men and women not just of their obligation to pursue self-satisfaction, but also of their duty to fellow human beings
Opinion As North Korea heats up, South Korea and Japan should warm ties

Cooperation on missile defense between South Korea and Japan would help blunt threats from North Korea. But Japanese officials' recent insensitivity to Imperial Japan's painful role in World War II, including forcing South Koreans to become 'comfort women,' works against cooperation.
Focus Education reform's next big thing: Common Core standards ramp up

Common Core standards are aimed at building students' critical thinking skills, and 46 states have adopted them. But critics say the methods are unproven and the education reform is moving too fast.
Focus Common Core promises new tests. Will they be better than the old ones?

Even before teachers have switched to new Common Core curriculum, new assessment tests are in the works. Teachers hope they'll be better than the current fill-in-the-bubble ones.
Why go to church?

A Christian Science perspective: Here are five good reasons.
In Texas, Obama lauds 'New Tech' high school. Model for the future? (+video)

Kicking off his 'Middle Class Jobs & Opportunity Tour' in Texas, Obama met with students at Manor New Tech High School, where he stressed the importance of STEM careers for the US economy.
Former Ed secretary: Only 4 percent of colleges worth the money. Families: Pick value.

Former Education Secretary Bennett argues that most of America's 3,500 colleges aren't worth the investment. As costs rise, more families are taking a harder look at a college's value instead of its reputation.
Cover Story Telecommuting: Steady growth in work-at-home culture, Yahoo or not

Telecommuting is a rapidly growing work-life style. Yahoo's recent ban of remote work sent a wave of concern through white-collar legions who consider themselves fortunate – and more productive – working in pajamas at home or holed up in a Starbucks cafe.
Opinion Obama and South Korea's President Park must agree on North Korea policy

As President Obama meets today with South Korea's President Park Geun-hye, how closely they agree on policy toward North Korea and whether they establish a good working relationship will be key to dealing with an increasingly dangerous new leadership in Pyongyang.
The New Economy Penny Pritzker steps into limelight as Commerce nominee

Penny Pritzker is first member of the wealthy family to accept a federal post. President Obama has nominated Penny Pritzker as Commerce secretary.
Decoder Wire North Korea almost done building new reactor. Is that a big deal? (+video)

While all things in North Korea are cloaked in secrecy, it appears that this new reactor could produce material for nuclear weapons – potentially expanding North Korea's small stockpile.
NBA's Jason Collins comes out: What does that mean for gay rights? (+video)

Jason Collins became the first active player in America's four major professional team sports to come out as gay. Given sports' elevated place in society, Collins might have just made a significant step for gay rights.
Terrorism in America: Is US missing a chance to learn from failed plots?

Including failed terror plots in US terrorism databases would make the US terror-threat picture more complete and provide important information for law enforcement, researchers suggest.
49ers trade up? San Francisco has draft picks to deal, if they want

49ers trade up?: The defending NFC champions have 13 draft picks to wheel and deal with. If the 49ers trade up, they might look for a backup quarterback.
Change Agent LeanIn.Org pushes women to stick with career ambitions

LeanIn.Org, founded by Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg, 'plans to focus on very practical and actionable skills that women can use in the workplace and that men and women can use to combat gender biases,' says its president, Rachel Thomas.
Focus On Earth Day 2013, a planetary report card on global warming

Planetary carbon dioxide concentrations are the highest they've been in the past 800,000 years, an ignominious milestone for Earth Day 2013. Still, the world is making some progress toward addressing global warming.
2013 Pulitzer Prize winners: 4 excellent books

Months before the Pulitzer Prize committee got there, the Monitor's book critics had already let readers know that these four books were something special. Here's why.
'The Fatwa Show': Moroccan journalist tells clerics to just have some fun

'The Fatwa Show' satirizes Islamic legal opinions, and is one of the most popular features on the new Arab world news and commentary website Free Arabs.
Modern Parenthood Glenn Beck MSNBC promo: The pundit blows hot air through the village

Glenn Beck tore into MSNBC's promo featuring Melissa Harris-Perry saying how she felt the US public should pay more attention to public education. But even while US students lag behind their overseas peers, Mr. Beck took Ms. Harris-Perry's criticism of Americans as sacrilege.
Are North Korea's nuclear weapons small enough to fit a ballistic missile?

North Korea claims to have made progress on miniaturized nuclear devices. Some experts credit that claim, but much of what North Korea can or can't do remains unknown.
China's Xi signals limited shift away from North Korea

Chinese President Xi Jinping took an unusually harsh tone this weekend on the North Korea crisis, saying that no country should be allowed to upset world peace.