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Senegal's president concedes defeat, a welcome step in region of coupsAfter winning court permission to run for a third term, overriding a constitutional ban, President Abdoulaye Wade steps aside – breaking a pattern of Senegalese leaders overstaying their welcome.
Turkey closes its Syria embassy, boosts aid to oppositionThe embassy closure by such a key regional player is likely to increase pressure on the Syrian government. Turkey also pledged, along with the US, to increase 'non-lethal aid' to Syrian rebels.
'Titanic' director James Cameron dives to Earth's deepest spotCameron is using a submarine to descend nearly seven miles to the bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific. The pressure below is the equivalent of three SUVs sitting on your toe.
- Obama lauds troops at 'freedom's frontier' and warns North Korea
On a trip to South Korea, President Obama visits the heavily-armed DMZ and warns the regime across the border not to test a long-range missile next month.
- Afghan shootings: US pays $50,000 per victim
Relatives received the cash in compensation for a March 11 shooting spree in Afghanistan. The US has charged Staff Sgt. Robert Bales of 17 murders in the case.
- China's rocky relationship with Hong Kong: 10 key moments To help understand how China's relationship with Hong Kong has changed through its evolution from British rule to special administrative region, here are 10 key moments:
Mexicans host Pope Benedict XVI, but say he's no Juan PabloA poll suggests Pope Benedict XVI had big shoes to fill in Mexico, where he celebrates Mass today before heading to Cuba.
Pope greeted by crowds upon arrival to MexicoThis is Pope Benedict XVI's first trip to the Latin American country; his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, made five trips over the course of his papacy.
- Syrian troops continue assault in northwest
Infantry and tanks clashed with rebels in Saraqeb, according to activists within the country.
Amid bombings, Iraqi family celebrates a wedding and good gradesThe Methboub family, which the Monitor has followed for a decade, has reasons for hope after dark days during which a son was wrongly imprisoned and a daughter's marriage collapsed.
- Traditional Tanzanian music falls in popularity, but demands preservation
Muziki wa dansi music was inspired by Tanzanian national pride after its independence in the 1960s. Today, a heritage project is trying to archive the unique music for future generations.
'The Hunger Games' movie attracts campaigns to fight real-world hunger'The Hunger Games' stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth urge fans to fight hunger. But some fans are forming their own hunger campaign – 'Hunger is Not a Game' – using the hashtag #NotAGame.
Asma Assad, Syria's first lady, faces sanctions, contemptThe European Union slapped sanctions Friday on Asma Assad, the 36-year-old wife of the president who for the past decade offered a veneer of respectability to one of the world's most opaque and ruthless dictatorships.
Catholicism in Latin America: 5 key facts Pope Benedict XVI began his second trip to Latin America on March 23, with stops in Mexico and Cuba. Here is a brief history of the Catholic church in the Americas.
A Battle Royale online over origin of 'The Hunger Games'Some claim that 'The Hunger Games' is a rip-off of the 1999 Japanese series 'Battle Royale.' But the storyline of a death match being employed by authoritarian rulers dates back to the Roman Empire.
'The Cubist's Cubist:' Juan Gris honored with Google doodleOn the 125th anniversary of his birth, Spanish artist Juan Gris is honored with a Cubist Google doodle.
- Tech firms cry foul in Taiwain
High-tech firms in Taiwan say they developed numerous firsts like all-in-one PC computers that became market successes only after being rebranded in the United States, Japan, or South Korea.
US eager to send foreign aid to Yemen, a land battling poverty and Al QaedaThe West sees foreign aid as a way to help counter extremism and issues like child malnutrition, but Yemenis caution against too much, too soon – and point to Afghanistan.
Good Reads: Ben Bernanke, bilingualism, and a new study on God and civilizationHere's a survey of what's interesting in other magazines: a profile of 'the villain' Ben Bernanke, a look at the benefits of bilingualism, and a scientific explanation for society's need for God.
French gunman had no Al Qaeda connection, says officialMohamed Merah claimed to have Al Qaeda contacts and training in Pakistan. French officials say there's no evidence of an Al Qaeda connection.
