Maureen Pao

Raising kids is tough, even if you have a partner and a steady income or two. Single moms and dads face even more challenges, and like all parents are doing the best they can, with what they have.

Kids may be little. But the cost of paying for someone to take care of them is really big. Stressed-out parents are pinching pennies, driving for Uber and putting off saving and having more kids.

The "dark presence" of the bronze and brooding National Museum of African American History and Culture illuminates black history, and by extension, the history of America itself.

From his earliest days picking peas to improving wages and working conditions as a union leader, Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to giving voice to the exploited men and women who grow America's food.

The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been aging, along with its dwindling priestly ranks. But in the increasingly secular world, there's been a recent uptick in younger men studying to become priests.

The natural disaster of Katrina and the man-made tragedy that followed catapulted local figures and obscure federal officials into the spotlight.

A trade deal allowing Chinese investment in more service sectors was the provocation. But the real issue is Taiwan's sense that it's losing its identity and being overwhelmed by its powerful neighbor.

Outrage in the U.S. over a French photo spread featuring a seductively arrayed 10-year-old model helped spur proposed legislation to ban child beauty pageants in France. That's ironic considering how popular, prevalent and lucrative the American child, or "glitz," beauty pageant industry is.

In pursuit of beauty, women around the globe subject themselves to complicated and bizarre, not to mention dangerous, procedures. In the West, that can mean going for darker skin. In Africa and parts of Asia, the opposite is the goal. Seriously, a sister just can't win.

For decades, millions of refugees around the world have lived in canvas tents. But those tents are hot during the day, cold at night, and afford little privacy. Ikea and the U.N. refugee agency are working to provide a durable and innovative alternative. Testing on the units begins this month in Ethiopia.