American Catholics Divided On Pope Benedict's Legacy
Catholics in the U.S. had varying reactions to Pope Benedict's surprise resignation on Monday.
National
Gas, Oil Booms Bring Complications To Small Towns
The discovery of oil and natural gas in Wyoming, Colorado and North Dakota has created a new generation of boomtowns. The explosive growth generated by the oil and gas drilling is often accompanied by an influx of new labor. The small towns near the fields wrestle to balance the economic advantages of the boom with the dramatic changes it brings to these tight-knit communities.
Procedure Expected To Bog Down Hearing For Alleged Sept. 11 Planners
Pretrial hearings resume Monday for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other men accused of helping plot the Sept. 11 attacks. There will be two competing narratives in the courtroom, however, with the prosecution focusing on the attacks, and the defense stressing the defendants' treatment after they were captured.
Vultures Beware: Virginia Town Targets Flock Of Unwanted Visitors
In the town of Leesburg, Va., a flock of 200 turkey vultures takes over suburban backyards every few years. Despite their seeming abundance, the birds are protected by federal law, so the residents called in backup for some official vulture harassment.
As Islam Grows, U.S. Imams In Short Supply
The more than 2,100 American mosques are facing a challenge. There aren't enough imams, or spiritual leaders, to go around.
Rise Early And Shine: Teachers And Students Try Out Longer School Days
Kids may not like the idea of extending the average six-hour school day, but some educators and politicians do. They are experimenting with ways to increase enrichment classes and make it affordable for school districts.
West's Allure Dulls Monkhood's Luster For Some Buddhists
Since the Dalai Lama's exile from Tibet in 1958, reincarnated high lamas have been born in, or exposed to, the West at an increasing rate. Journalist Tim McGirk wrote about the effects of that exposure in this month's issue of The Believer.
To Infinity And Beyond: Would-Be Astronauts Keep Faith In Uncertain Era
As NASA moves away from manned missions, the private sector is taking on the task. Those hoping for a ride are as eager as ever, and space exploration hasn't lost a bit of its luster.
The CIA And The Hazards Of Middle East Forecasting
As Arab-Israeli tensions grew in the fall of 1973, the CIA offered its analysis to President Nixon's administration: War was highly unlikely. The agency kept making that case right up to the time the war began.
Amid Daily Struggles, Gay Rights Movement Embraces Watershed Moments
Support for gay marriage is growing, and the Supreme Court is set to take on the issue this spring. But while some in the gay community say equal rights are in sight, issues like employment discrimination can still dominate on the ground.