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The day's most popular stories
The five most popular stories on CNN.com in the past 24 hours, according to NewsPulse.
Father fights bullying to honor son: Kirk Smalley's 11-year-old son Ty committed suicide after being bullied. Smalley now works to try to protect other kids from bullies.
Sealife survey: Most ocean life is unknown: The planet's seas and oceans are richer and more diverse than scientists suspected, the biggest survey of marine life has revealed - but many mysteries remain
FCC investigates Verizon 'mystery fees':Â Â Millions of Verizon Wireless customers should have rebates on the way after the company said it incorrectly charged mobile phone users tens of millions of dollars for data they didn't use.
Hamburg cell at heart of terrorist plot against Europe: A group of jihadists from the German city of Hamburg is alleged to be at the heart of the recent al Qaeda plot to launch coordinated terrorist attacks against European cities, European intelligence officials said.
Jury deliberations set to continue in Connecticut home invasion case: Jurors did not reach a verdict in their first day of deliberations Monday in the trial of Steven Hayes, the man accused of killing three members of a Connecticut family in a 2007 home invasion. They are expected to resume their work Tuesday morning.
U.S. judge bought drugs for stripper, feds say
A federal judge in Georgia has been arrested on drug and weapons charges after federal agents say he bought drugs for a stripper with whom he was having an affair.
Senior U.S. District Judge Jack Camp Jr. has been charged with posession of cocaine, marijuana and the painkiller roxycodone, according to court documents. He is also charged with posessing a firearm as an unlawful user of controlled substances and with aiding and abetting the posession of drugs by the stripper, who had a prior drug conviction.
Camp was arrested Friday after federal agents said he bought drugs from an undercover agent. He made an initial appearance Monday in a federal court in Atlanta and was released on $50,000 bond.
The charges allege that Camp had been paying the stripper for sex since the past spring and was fronting money to buy drugs for both of them. Before the sting that led to his arrest, he told her, "Let me pay him, because you've already got a record," the affidavit states.
Sidiqi family speaks out about arrest
Ahmed Sidiqi, the man allegedly at the heart of an al Qaeda plot to target European cities, was detained by a group of unidentified men in Afghanistan three months ago, his family has told CNN.
German intelligence officials say Sidiqi was arrested in Kabul, Afghanistan, in July and has been held at the U.S. airbase at Bagram ever since. They say he has provided detailed information about an al Qaeda plot to carry out Mumbai-style attacks against several European cities. He has not been charged.
Sidiqi's father, Mohammed Naim, said his son was on his way to the German embassy in the Afghan capital to get a new passport when he was detained.
"It was a question of him having lost his passport or having had it stolen, he said," Naim told CNN.
Italy ends search for missing American balloonists
Authorities in Italy have called off the search for two Americans who went missing during a gas balloon race last week.
The search ended Monday afternoon and will not resume, said Massimo Maccheroni of the Italian coastal guards. No balloon debris was found during more than four days of searching, he said.
A balloon carrying Richard Abruzzo of New Mexico and Carol Rymer-Davis of Colorado over the Adriatic Sea near Italy made a rapid descent during rough weather, conditions that would make their survival "unlikely," race organizers have said.
"This is very pessimistic information," said a statement from the race organization - Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett.
WebPulse: A terror alert, Gaga flight vid, bacon art
Searching for alert details - An alert was issued for Americans traveling in Europe to be extra aware of their surroundings. Western intelligence officials said they'd learn of a terror plot. Details about the plot were not released but many people were trying to figure them out anyway. Throughout Monday morning and much of the afternoon, "terror alert" was the most searched term on Google and Yahoo.
Jury begins deliberation in Connecticut home invasion case
Jurors began deliberations Monday in the trial of Steven Hayes, the man accused of killing three members of a Connecticut family in a 2007 home invasion.
Hayes, 47, who has pleaded not guilty, is on trial in New Haven, Connecticut, for the murders of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters.
The killings took place in the New Haven suburb of Cheshire early July 23, 2007. The home of William Petit, his wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, and two daughters was invaded in the middle of the night by Hayes and co-defendant Joshua Komisarjevsky, prosecutors say.
Watch an airline's Gaga safety dance
Lady Gaga wants you to put safety first when flying.
Lady Gaga is on board in spirit, and she's part of the safety demonstration - how to put on your seat belt, how to put on the oxygen mask if needed. The American singer's song "Just Dance" serves as background music for a safety demonstration video aboard some Cebu Pacific Air flights.
Several of the Philippine airline's flight attendants do the "safety dance" in choreographed moves in a YouTube video that has gone viral. FULL STORY
California Supreme Court upholds furlough order
The furloughs that California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered in 2008 are estimated to save the state $80 million a month.
California's Supreme Court on Monday upheld Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's furlough order for state workers, according to court documents. Schwarzenegger ordered the furloughs in 2008 in an effort to help the cash-strapped state.
The order required state workers to take two unpaid days off per month. The number of days was bumped up to three in 2009 as revenues continued to plummet. The furloughs - the latest of which were renewed in August - are estimated to save the state $80 million a month. FULL STORY
Europe beats U.S. to win Ryder Cup
Graeme McDowell of Europe celebrates his birdie putt on the 16th green.
Despite a valiant late rally from the Americans, it was Europe that claimed this year's Ryder Cup in a face-off that came down to Monday's final match. Europe's win came when Graeme McDowell birdied 16, hanging in just enough to beat out Hunter Mahan 3 and 1 in an anchor match. "There was a reason why he was put [in the final spot]," Ian Poulter said of McDowell. "He's the U.S. Open champion. He pulled it off."
The victory marked Europe's fourth consecutive win on home soil and the first time that the Ryder Cup ended on a Monday, thanks largely in part to the torrential downpours that periodically halted the action.
But credit has to be given to the American contingent for its efforts. The team managed to even the score after its youngest team member, Rickie Fowler, won the final three holes to halve his match with Italian Edoardo Molinari. That led the U.S. and Europe to square-off in the 12th and final singles match of the tournament. SEE COMPLETE COVERAGEÂ on Golf.com.
Sources: Possible drone strike in Pakistan kills 8 Germans
Eight suspected German nationals were killed in a suspected drone strike in northwestern Pakistan, two Pakistani officials said Monday.
The strike happened in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, the officials said. Missiles struck a building that eight suspected German militants were in,
the officials said.
The eight are believed to have been members of the group Jihad al Islami, the officials said.
Monday's intriguing people
Louise Brown
When Louise Brown got married in 2004, a scientist named Dr. Robert Edwards attended the wedding. He was also one of two men present when Brown was conceived in 1977.
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Due to the work of Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe, Brown was scientifically conceived in a laboratory - then implanted as an embryo in her mother's womb. She became the world’s first test-tube baby when she was born on July 25, 1978.
On Monday, Edwards, now 85, received the Nobel Prize for medicine for his work on in vitro fertilization, or IVF. Steptoe passed away in 1988. He would have shared part of the $1.5 million prize as well if he were still alive, reports say.Â
'Steve Jobs, Ninja Assassin' and other imagined movies
Apple's Steve Jobs IS the "Ninja Assassin"
"The Social Network" topped the box office this weekend, proving there's an appetite out there for movies about technology - or at least, movies about technology involving good-looking young actors screwing each other over and having sex. This got us thinking about other tech tales or topics that would make juicy fodder for Hollywood.
Give thumbs up or down to "Steve Jobs, Ninja Assassin" and "Google: The Musical" here.
Victory for Giants, more MLB action
San Francisco Giant Buster Posey, number 28, jumping for joy
The weekend belonged to the San Francisco Giants and to Buster Posey. The Rookie of the Year contender and his team managed to end their seven-season playoff drought, clinching the National League West and becoming the first wild card in franchise history for Atlanta. Posey nailed an eighth-inning homer to bump the Giants to a 3-0 lead against the Padres, effectively sealing their playoff deal.
SI.com's Joe Lemire says that Posey's Sunday performance has once again pushed him up in contention for Rookie of the Year honors. But his performance and the Giants' win didn't just benefit San Francisco.
The Braves were also in the unlikely position of rooting for the Giants so that they could clinch a playoff spot without having to face another team in a one-game matchup. Interestingly enough, the Braves good wishes for the Giants may already be a distant memory. The teams are slated to face off against each other Thursday night in San Francisco in the NL Division Series.
The MLB may be getting a break a Monday night, but the NFL is in full swing with a matchup between the Pats and Dolphins.
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (8:30 p.m., ET) - Taking the action to Sun Life Stadium, the New England Patriots will face off against the Miami Dolphins in the last game of Week 4. One win shy of a career 100, Tom Brady is looking to avenge for a 22-21 loss last year against Miami.
By The Numbers
89 - Number points the U.S. women's basketball team scored in their victory against host Czech Republic at Sunday's FIBA world championship. Led by captains Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi the team brought home its eighth championship after 2006's disappointing third-place finish.
125 - Number of yards Redskins QB Donovan McNabb managed in his Philly homecoming against the Eagles. Though McNabb's performance wasn't all that awe-inspiring, he and the 'Skins eked out a 17-12 victory, aided in part by an injury to Eagles QB Michael Vick.
$55 million - Estimated price tag on Joakim Noah's supposed five-year contract extension with the Chicago Bulls. While details have yet to be finalized, a source close to the situation said the Bulls are on the verge of locking down the center, who would take over starting center duties after Carlos Boozer's recent injury may cause him to be out for about two months.
This building wins big architecture prize
The MAXXI museum of contemporary Art in Rome
One of architecture's most prestigious prizes has gone to the MAXXI museum of contemporary art and architecture in Rome, Italy.
The Stirling Prize went to MAXXI's creator, noted architect Zaha Hadid. The London-based Iraqi recently completed work on the Aquatics Centre for the London 2012 Olympics. In 2004, Hadid became the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in architecture.
Learn more about the prize and take a tour of the building here.
Verizon's $50 million in "mystery fees" investigated
Verizon said it incorrectly charged 15 million consumers
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has confirmed it is investigating a reported $50 million in "mystery fees" charged to mobile phone users by Verizon Wireless.
A defect in Verizon's phone software caused at least 15 million wireless customers to be charged data fees, even if they didn't subscribe to data plans, Verizon said in a statement Sunday. Most customers received false charges of $2 to $6, which will be credited to customers' bills in October and November.
The refund is said to be one of the largest in wireless network history. READ FULL STORY
On the Radar: Terror alert, bullying and Rahm Emanuel
Terror alert - Americans who are traveling in Europe have been warned to watch out for anything unusual after concerns were raised that terrorist groups could be targeting European capitals. European officials say they're focusing on a possible terror cell in Hamburg, Germany. The alert follows the arrest of a German citizen, who is reportedly cooperating in the investigation.
Bullying - CNN explains why its spending this week focusing on bullying. The coverage comes in the wake of a gay male student at Rutgers University freshman who took his own life after his roommate and another student allegedly filmed him having sex and streamed the private moment online. Does technology change the game for bullies and their victims? How do you prevent your child or friend from being bullied? What motivates a bully? After a controversial story from Michigan last week, we ask - when is it harassment and when is it bullying?
CNN's Carol Costello interviews the father of an 11-year-old who committed suicide after being bullied. CNN.com's Stephanie Chen tells the story of a 13-year-old who was relentlessly bullied online. Anderson Cooper talks to a panel of teens about bullying.
Facebook film - On the lighter side of social networking comes the mega-success of the movie "The Social Network," which chronicles the rise of Facebook. It was tops at the box office this weekend, raking in about $23 million. Stay tuned to This Just In for CNN.com's list of top five movies we'd like to see made about Web stars.
Listen up - Chances are good former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel will use social networking to boost his run for mayor of Chicago. He's kicking off his campaign today with a "Tell It Like It Is" listening tour.
Hamburg cell at heart of terrorist plot against Europe
A group of jihadists from the German city of Hamburg are alleged to be at the heart of the recent al Qaeda plot to launch co-ordinated terrorist attacks against European cities, according to European intelligence officials.
The plan prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a Europe-wide security advisory for Americans traveling in Europe.
Japan issued a similar alert Monday, citing the warnings issued by the United States and by Britain, which raised the level highest for France and Germany.
Sea lion vs. octopus
What do animals do when we're not watching? Strap a "crittercam" to them and find out. CNN's David Banks observes a whale calf nursing, a sea lion chasing an octopus and one wily shark.
Townsend: 'Unspecific' travel alert frustrates tourists
President George W. Bush's former homeland security adviser, Frances, Townsend, says she thinks tourists and officials want details on the travel alert.
CNN contributor Frances Townsend, the former White House homeland security adviser, told "American Morning" on Monday that the U.S. travel warning on Europe is frustrating tourists and some officials.
The U.S. State Department issued the alert for U.S. citizens in Europe, based on information suggesting al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks. Americans are warned to be aware of their surroundings and protect themselves, especially when they are at tourist sites, in airports or using public transportation. The alert does not warn U.S. citizens against travel to Europe.
Townsend said the alert is based on "unspecific, but credible threats," and she thinks tourists and officials would like to know more specifics.
Monday's live video events
9:30 am ET - NYSE opening bell -Â Wall Street begins its trading week.
1:00 pm ET - White House briefing -Â The White House holds a briefing with reporters.
7:00 pm ET - Connecticut Senate debate -Â Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon hold their first debate in their U.S. Senate race.
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