World

Top Stories:

• Pakistan anger grows after sectarian terrorist attack kills 81

  After the latest bomb by a Sunni militant group killed dozens of Pakistan's minority Shiites in western Pakistan accusations the government is turning a blind eye rang out.

• Modern migrants pose new challenges to Mexican border towns

  The US deported record numbers of immigrants over the past four years. Although Mexico provides some basic services, the influx of migrants in border towns means good Samaritans and nonprofits are having to step up.

• Taking a hike in the Holy Land on the Jesus Trail

  Israel's Jesus Trail, which winds through valleys and over hilltops near the Sea of Galilee, hits several spots of biblical importance and provides a taste of life in modern-day Israel as well.

• As Tunisia's Ennahda falters, supporters wonder if it can handle the heat

  Tunisia's leading party, the Islamist Ennahda, is struggling to deliver prosperity and stability. Even some supporters who flocked to the party after the revolution are questioning its performance – and what it should do next.

• In wake of Russian meteor, a scramble for new windows

  The meteor that exploded in Russia's frozen Chelyabinsk region Friday blew out windows in more than 4,000 buildings. Replacement is a top priority for a small army of recovery workers.

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USA

Top Stories:

• Bob Goodlatte: GOP point man on immigration urges 'regular order'

  House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte says that wherever the immigration debate winds up, nothing gets done in the end without education and building consensus in committee.

• Presidents' Day 2013: How a Senate tradition keeps George Washington’s words alive

  Every year since 1896, a senator has been selected to read George Washington’s Farewell Address during legislative session. His warnings often are pertinent.

• Presidents' Day 2013: Actually, there’s no such thing.

  We don't care what that newspaper ad says, there's no official 'Presidents' Day' holiday. By law, it's 'George Washington’s Birthday' honoring the Father of Our Country, and only him.

• Gun raffles stoke debate after Conn. shooting

  Gun giveaways are an attractive way to make money or draw in customers. But in the wake of the shooting rampage in a Connecticut school, such raffles are drawing criticism.

• Key Republicans say Chuck Hagel now likely to be confirmed

  Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have led the opposition to Chuck Hagel's nomination to be secretary of defense. Now, both say former Sen. Hagel is likely to be confirmed.

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Commentary

Top Stories:

• Readers Write: The great Second Amendment debate

  Letters to the Editor for the February 28, 2013 weekly print issue: To speak of gun ownership as a privilege that can be given up ignores history and the philosophical basis of the right to self-protection. Findley's op-ed was a voice of reason in the hyperbolic discussion on gun control.

• What a gun can do to you

  There are as many reasons that people own guns as there are gun owners. Some people feel safer with them. Some feel more empowered. Others feel conflicted because of the way guns change the way they think and live.

• NATO, US must shore up Libya

  Today, as Libyans mark the second anniversary of the revolution that ousted Muammar Qaddafi, security conditions are bad and getting worse. Libya needs help training its security forces. Ideally, this would be a NATO mission. It could also be a US mission if NATO lacks the will.

• Plucking a big bone in free-trade talks: food

  President Obama's ambitious goal for free-trade pacts with Europe and Asia depends on solving emotional disputes over food and agriculture. Leaders need to deal with people's deep concerns about what they eat, farming culture, and culinary identity.

• View from Iran: World needs rules on cyberattacks (+video)

  The US believes that cyberattacks from another country can constitute an 'act of war.' This begs the question of whether the US can unilaterally engage in an unprovoked act against Iran that, according to its own standards, is unacceptable. The world needs global rules on cyberattacks, regardless of where we live and how we think, say Iran's UN diplomats.

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Business

Top Stories:

• How many hobbies do you really need?

  Having too many hobbies can cost you unnecessary time and money. Figure out a small handful of core hobbies to focus on and discard the rest as active interests.

• Russia wants in on the luxury auto boom

  Luxury auto sales are booming in resource-rich nations like Russia, and Russia would like to get in on the action with its own luxury brands.

• New 2014 Chevy SS debuts at Daytona

  Chevy chooses famed Daytona speedway to unveil the 2014 Chevrolet SS. The sporty Chevy SS marks the first time in 17 years that the company is marketing a rear-wheel-drive sedan.

• NBA players union ousts executive director

  NBA players vote unanimously to dismiss Billy Hunter after 17 years as union head. Action follows a critical review of Hunter's leadership of the NBA union.

• Presidents' Day sales: Look for new deals throughout the weekend

  Presidents' Day sales have already begun on a wide array of items, including mattresses, home goods, and clothing. But keep an eye out for more Presidents' Day sales to be announced throughout the weekend.

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Energy/Environment

Top Stories:

• Will shale stop the Keystone XL pipeline?

  Protests against the Keystone XL pipeline needs to be seen in a broader, economic light, Grealy writes. Canadian tar sands and the Keystone XL pipeline will be a mere sideshow, he adds, and future investment in it will have to fight shale oil, a battle that's already been lost.

• Fewer bees in US threaten almond crop

  Fewer bees are available to pollinate California's growing almond crop. Beekeepers in the US have fewer bees this year because of drought and ongoing colony collapse disorder.

• Misunderstanding coal in Europe

  Every ton of emissions from American coal burned in Europe means that a ton won’t be burned in a country like China – or even the United States – where emissions are uncapped, Holland writes.

• Who owns seeds? Not you, Monsanto says.

  US Supreme Court set to hear case of farmer using seeds grown from Monsanto's genetically modified seeds. Monsanto won the first round, claiming the farmer violated its patents, but his appeal has won a hearing in the Supreme Court.

• Airbus to ditch lithium-ion batteries – for now

  Airbus is telling airlines that its new A350 will use nickel-cadmium instead of lithium-ion batteries until questions about lithium-ion batteries have been resolved. The Airbus A350 should debut late next year.

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Innovation

Top Stories:

• HTC One will replace One X as flagship HTC device: report

  HTC is poised to release a new phone called the One in the US on March 22, according to one tech site.

• Goodbye, Windows Live Messenger. Hello, Skype.

  Microsoft will soon begin shuttling its Windows Live Messenger users to Skype.

• George Ferris's Valentine's Day gift to science teachers

  George Ferris, whose 154th birthday is celebrated with a Valentine's Day-themed Google Doodle, didn't just come up with a new amusement park ride; he provided an opportunity for physics teachers to come up with truly terrifying scenarios.

• Enter the Penguin: Steam for Linux arrives

  Valve launches its Steam video-game marketplace for Linux and, in typical Valve fashion, is having a huge sale to celebrate.

• Apple prepares to fight for the iPhone name in Brazil

  Apple is set to challenge a Brazilian patent agency ruling that states that the iPhone trademark belongs to a Brazilian electronics company.

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Science

Top Stories:

• Russian asteroid highlights astronomers' challenge: Predicting such space objects

  Astronomers have cataloged about 95 percent of the space objects wider than half a mile – those that could destroy civilization. But they have found less than 1 percent of the objects 100 feet across or larger, a class that includes the asteroid that flitted past Earth on Friday.

• Russian meteor blast had force of 300-kiloton nuclear warhead (+video)

  Using sensors designed to detect rogue nuclear tests, scientists have learned more about the meteor that exploded over Russia. It was much bigger than they first thought.

• Asteroid flyby breaks records, raises warnings

  Astronomers estimate that an asteroid the size of 2012 DA14, which came within a cosmic hair's breadth of our planet on Friday, strikes the Earth once every 1,200 years or so.

• Just how big was that Russia meteor anyway?

  The meteor whose shock wave injured hundreds of Russians early on Friday was tiny compared to the one that struck Siberia in 1908, say scientists.

• Russia meteor blast produced 2.7 magnitude earthquake equivalent

  The meteor blast in the skies over Russia that injured hundreds and also triggered shaking that appeared on seismograph readings.

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The Culture

Top Stories:

• How to eat more salad

  Don't limit salads to a side dish. Eat them as main dishes, make your own dressing, and get creative by adding a wide variety of proteins and grains.

• Harrison Ford rumor: Has he signed on for 'Star Wars 7'?

  Are the Harrison Ford rumors true -- that the actor has signed on for the new 'Star Wars' movie? The Harrison Ford rumor is so far unconfirmed.

• Dogs steal more in the dark, says new study. My cat suggests otherwise (+video)

  German an British researchers – with a lot of food for bait – have concluded dogs steal more food in the dark. One dog-and-cat owner is skeptical: Cats may be framing the dogs.

• Indonesian-style pineapple tarts for Chinese New Year

  In Chineses households it's believed that eating these sweet cookies will bring good fortune as well as sweetness in the upcoming year. Celebrate the Year of Snake with a batch of homemade pineapple tarts.

• 'Zero Hour' star Anthony Edwards discusses returning to TV

  'Zero Hour' actor Edwards is returning to TV after starring as Dr. Mark Greene on 'ER.' 'Zero Hour' premiered on ABC on Feb. 14.

• Time for a real holiday?

  A Christian Science perspective: Finding something beautiful and true in the ordinary.

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Books

Top Stories:

• Reader recommendation: The Last Runaway

  Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

• Vampires in the Lemon Grove

  Karen Russell's short stories go where the wild things are.

• Reader recommendation: The Invisible Bridge

  Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

• 'The Aviator's Wife' author Melanie Benjamin is drawn to 'locked doors and hidden closets'

  Melanie Benjamin, author of a new novel about Charles Lindbergh's wife Anne, discusses her interest in women who have 'kind of fallen off the public's collective consciousness.'

• Mark Zuckerberg's sister Randi Zuckerberg plans memoir about working at Facebook

  Randi Zuckerberg, who served as the company's marketing director, will release a memoir titled 'Dot Complicated' as well as a children's book.

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