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Robert Siegel talks with Ron Elving about the big picture of Tuesday's elections.

In subtropical Japan, the sanshin is a ubiquitous part of life. The instrument even follows Okinawans long after they're gone — played at grave sites, when families pay respects to their ancestors.

Mormonsandgays.org has video testimonials from members and church leaders. One elder says that inclinations and feelings aren't sinful, but that yielding to temptations is. The church is seeking to reach out to all of its members, including gays and lesbians, "with love and understanding."

Conventional wisdom holds that complex life evolved in the sea, then crawled up onto land. But a provocative new study argues that the procession might be drawn in the wrong direction. The earliest large life forms may have appeared on land long before the oceans filled with creatures.

California Democrat Eric Swalwell, one of the youngest new members of Congress, defeated a 40-year incumbent for his seat. But his first challenge in Washington might be getting people to pronounce his name correctly.

One of President Obama's gun control proposals appears to have widespread support — universal background checks for gun purchases. Some experts on mental health and gun violence find problems with the current laws, and they say the system doesn't do a very good job of predicting and preventing gun crime.

David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook stars Bradley Cooper as a bipolar high school teacher trying to put his life back together. But critic David Edelstein says it's the performance of co-star Jennifer Lawrence that makes the film a hot ticket.

President Mohammed Morsi is facing the biggest rebellion against his rule since assuming power in June. It started with a set of controversial decrees by the president that put him above the law until a constitution is in place. The move has polarized the country and every judge in the country is on strike. Critics say the president is pushing through an illegitimate constitution.

Texting may not always be the best method of communication, but it can be a promising support network for smokers who want to quit. Several recent studies show that receiving an encouraging text can help stave off a cigarette craving and boost motivation to quit for good.

The decision to sell a piece of North American history has sparked intense debate at Old South Church in Boston. The church's historian says the book is simply not theirs to sell.