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Al Qaeda drone attacks on US? Soon it won't be so far-fetched.

An Al Qaeda sympathizer was arrested who allegedly planned drone attacks in Washington. An expanding market and improved technology could make small drones more available to anti-US terrorists.
Anwar al-Awlaki strike: why it's important, but not a death-blow for Al Qaeda

Anwar al-Awlaki was one of Al Qaeda's idea men – a propagandist who inspired youth to jihad. The drone attack that killed him is a 'big setback,' but it doesn't hurt Al Qaeda's capacity.
Boeing drug bust shows alarming spread of prescription pill epidemic

Three dozen former and current Boeing employees were arrested Thursday for illicitly peddling prescription pills. Cases like this one show the challenges for law enforcement in dealing with the epidemic.
The Monitor's View: Pastors who play politics from the pulpit

On Oct. 2, a large group of American pastors plans to purposely violate a law barring houses of worship from endorsing or opposing political candidates. This legal challenge from the pulpit won't help people of faith.
Defecting Syria soldiers join ranks with protesters

Syria's uprising has taken a violent turn as soldiers have abandoned Bashar al-Assad's regime and joined antigovernment protesters.
Kindle Fire tablet: Cool gadget or power grab for Amazon? (VIDEO)

The Kindle Fire is integrated with the Amazon cloud computing service, and the user is automatically logged into Amazon, turning the device into a powerful proprietary shopping tool.
Listeria outbreak: How safe is America's food chain?

Listeria-related deaths in the US from tainted cantaloupes have raised concern about America's food chain. While problems remain, there have also been improvements, experts say.
Messenger's message from Mercury: Time to rewrite the textbooks

Scientists with the Messenger mission to Mercury unveiled their findings Thursday, which are answering some decades-old mysteries – but also creating new ones.
Fresh fighting breaks out in Yemen

The dynamic in Yemen's long-simmering uprising has significantly changed, with factions of the armed forces battling each other – threatening to turn the largely peaceful uprising into civil war.
New Kindle Fire: Amazon introduces tablet for Everyman (and every kid)

The new Kindle Fire's low price aims to vastly expand the tablet-buying population, and positions Amazon for the future of e-publishing and e-commerce. Merry Christmas!
Would Obama's jobs plan help avoid a recession?

Economists from 28 firms offered estimates about the jobs plan to Bloomberg News. They disagreed on how effective it would be – and the cost could be high.
US sweep for illegal immigrants: Is Obama searching for a middle ground?

The roundup of 2,901 illegal immigrants with substantial criminal records was the result of the widest net ever thrown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Is Sarah Palin preparing to disappoint her fans?

Sarah Palin made comments on Fox News Tuesday that suggest she might be leaning against a presidential run. At this late hour in the primary season, it might be a moot point, anyway.
Andy Rooney: why it's bad he's retiring

Andy Rooney will leave '60 Minutes' as a regular contributor following this Sunday’s broadcast. Here are three reasons that's a sad occasion.
Pakistan: We're scapegoats for US frustration over Afghan war

Pakistan's prime minister warned Tuesday that if the US didn't stop lobbing accusations at Pakistan, it would be difficult to tamp down anti-American sentiment in his country.
Michael Jackson took drugs that 'killed him instantly,' doctor's lawyer says

Dr. Conrad Murray 'acted with gross negligence' in Michael Jackson's death, the prosecutor said in opening arguments, but the defense said the pop star ingested a lethal 'perfect storm' of drugs.
Dead Sea Scrolls online: a window on Judaism in the time of Jesus (VIDEO)

Five of the Dead Sea Scrolls are now online. More could be coming in the years ahead. The Dead Sea Scrolls show the diversity of Jewish religious thought around the time of Jesus.
Obama in Denver: Colorado takes shape as key state for 2012

Obama pitched his jobs bill Tuesday to a largely Hispanic audience at a Denver high school. Colorado residents should expect to see lots more of the president in coming months.
Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend

New Yorker writer Susan Orlean tells the larger-than-life story behind canine movie star Rin Tin Tin.
Carolina for Kibera founder Rye Barcott talks about his nonprofit and his memoir "It Happened On the Way to War"

"It Happened On the Way to War" tells how college student Rye Barcott founded Kenya-based nonprofit Carolina for Kibera for $26.
Conrad Murray: Michael Jackson's struggles on display at doctor's trial

Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's cardiologist, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Jurors are set to hear opening arguments in his trial on Tuesday.
Government shutdown averted: Why did Congress get this close?

The Republican determination not to increase the deficit – even for disaster funding – brought Congress within a week of a government shutdown. In the end, FEMA had enough money to get by.
Pakistan floods: Why Islamabad is slow to implement lessons from last year

A year after historic Pakistan floods left hundreds of thousands homeless, Islamabad's slow response to new floods has prompted a UN appeal.
'Lion King' success: Should Hollywood fall back in love with 3D?

Two big weekends for 'The Lion King 3D' and suddenly Hollywood is abuzz with talk of 3D conversions. But is the format the reason for the success of the returning modern classic?
Is OnStar turning your car against you? Senator Schumer thinks so.

Senator Schumer of New York criticizes in-vehicle emergency tool OnStar because it collects information about its users even after they cancel the service. It's the latest flareup over whether new technologies are violating users' privacy rights.