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The idea that rape victims cannot get pregnant is a very old medical theory Todd Akin, the Republican candidate for senate in Missouri, said in an interview released this weekend that he did not support abortion for rape victims because: "If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Monitor reporter Scott Peterson reports from the Aleppo neighborhood of Salaheddin that the rebels are impeding the Syrian Army's ground progress, pushing them to use more deadly tactics. When the Syrian government launched its assault on Aleppo's rebel-held enclave of Salaheddin at dawn July 28, rebel fighter Abu Omar had no idea that he would soon make his first kill - as he put it - in the name of freedom.

If the collective obsessions of the Internet have confirmed anything lately, it's that a thick slice of America feels very, very busy. First, Anne-Marie Slaughter's Atlantic cover story, "Why Women Still Can't Have It All," sucked the world into a conversation about just how hard it is to balance a high-powered career with family.

Stocks closed mostly lower Thursday after signs emerged that Americans are spending at a slower pace and that China's economy may be in worse shape than previously thought. The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 47 points at 12,896.

Spam turns 75 years old this July, and it's celebrating with a new mascot and a party at its chief US manufacturing plant. Once a staple of soldiers' diets, Spam's reluctant legacy may be as the clown of the US food world.

In an abbreviated holiday trading session energy stocks rose due to increased tension over Iran. The major stock indexes moved higher after the government reported that factory orders rose in May. The Dow Jones rose 72 points to close at 12,943. Stocks climbed Tuesday in an abbreviated holiday trading session after an encouraging report about manufacturing.

The wonders of the Internet have created what a high-tech swap meet for those who know where to look. Our personal finance expert shares several helpful sites that allow you to swap CDs, DVDs and even books for free, or very low cost. For years, I've been trading books online using PaperBackSwap.

Medicaid was on center stage last week when the Supreme Court ruled the government did not have the authority to pull federal Medicaid funds from states refusing to extend eligibility to low-income, non-elderly adults. For months, astute observers called Medicaid the "sleeper issue" of the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act deliberations.

By MacDonald Dzirutwe HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has given foreign-owned banks one year to hand over 51 percent stakes to locals, according to a government notice, as President Robert Mugabe ramps up a drive to force all foreign-owned businesses to surrender majority control to blacks.

Stocks struggled during a quiet start to holiday-week trading following news that American manufacturing numbers seem to have slowed in June. The Dow average fell after the manufacturing report, finishing down 8 points at 12,871. Investors rejoiced over Europe last week. On Monday, they got back to worrying about the United States.

Liberty and progress go hand in hand, according to The Circle Bastiat's John P. Cochran. President Taft was once known as Mr. Republican. In the present era, Cochran believes Ron Paul has taken up Taft's mantle.

Financial markets around the world jumped higher Friday with the Dow Jones industrial average climbing 277 points, closing at 12,880, and the Standard & Poor's had its best day of the year. Stocks advanced even further in Europe.

The Supreme Court has ruled that Congress can require people to either have health insurance or pay a tax if they don't. The political fate of the Affordable Care Act remains to be seen, of course, but at least we know it is constitutional.

Jobless claims for the week show declines in both initial and continued unemployment claims this period, while seasonally adjusted initial claims remained below the closely watched 400K level. Today's jobless claims report showed an decline to both initial and continued unemployment claims while seasonally adjusted initial claims remained below the closely watched 400K level.

A rare double dose of good news about the US economy sent stocks surging up Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 92 points, contributing to a closing bell tally of 12,627, despite continued fears about the eurozone crisis. A rare double shot of good news about the US economy sent stocks surging higher Wednesday.

Consumer Reports lists several myths that have been rumored to improve gas mileage but which don't really make much of a difference in modern cars. From gas quality to tire track preferences, consider these myths busted.

Home sales data recently released by the National Association of Realtors showed that its index of sales agreements rose in May, up 13.3 percent from 2011. The trend matches the fastest pace for the index in two years. Recently, the U.S.

From Atlantic Unbound: Interviews: "Introverts of the World, Unite!" (February 14, 2006) A conversation with Jonathan Rauch, the author who-thanks to an astonishingly popular essay in the March 2003 Atlantic-may have unwittingly touched off an Introverts' Rights revolution.Follow-up: The Introversy Continues Jonathan Rauch comments on reader feedback about introvert dating-and poses a new question Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day?