All World
Cruise ship aground: Search for missing off coast of ItalyCruise ship aground: At least three died and some 50 people are missing after the Italian Costa Concordia cruise ship hit a sandbar Friday night off Tuscany, Italy.
Tim Tebow, the philanthropistHow is Tim Tebow using his fame as starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos? Impressively.
What Guatemala's new president wants from the USFormer Gen. Otto Perez Molina, who will be inaugurated as Guatemala's president today, plans to push for renewed US military aid, raising concerns among critics of his legacy from Guatemala's civil war.
Taiwan election sees China-friendly presidency continueTaiwan election: President Ma Ying-jeou won re-election in the tight race. Ma is expected to continue his China-friendly policies that have Beijing and Washington smiling, but some in Taiwan getting increasingly concerned about Taiwan's de facto independence.
Shiite pilgrims defy bombings in Iraq to mark ArbaeenShiite pilgrims rely on the kindness of Shiites and even some Sunnis who set up hospitality tents along the road to the holy city of Karbala. Both pilgrims and volunteers say they won't be stopped by the risk of violence.
- Downgrade of France's credit rating dashes uplifting week for eurozone
Unexpectedly successful bond auctions for Spain and Italy and additional lending from the European Central Bank generated speculation about a turnaround – until S&P announced it had downgraded France.
- The Monitor's Weekly News Quiz for Jan. 9-13, 2012
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Joint UN-African mission seeks to end LRA violenceA United Nations and African Union joint mission traveled to the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda last week seeking regional cooperation from countries affected by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Iran nuclear talks: Tehran says it's ready, despite assassination.Tehran said it is ready to resume Iran nuclear talks with international powers after more than a year-long break. But it has yet to formally respond to an EU request to return to the table.
Obama's Iran policy shifted from outreach to pressure and sanctionsObama intended to go the extra mile on engagement, his aides said, so if the gambit failed, allies and adversaries alike could not point the finger at the United States as the 'bad guy.' Instead, they would rally behind the effort to pressure Iran.
Growing Catholic divide over Mexico drug warA bishop is among those alleging human rights abuses by state, but the church stands behind President Calderón's military-led crackdown on the Mexico drug war.
US restoring full ties to Myanmar in 'substantial step forward'The US said on Friday it would restore full ties with Myanmar after President Obama called the release of hundreds of prisoners a 'substantial step forward' in the Southeast Asian country's democratic reforms.
Van der Sloot gets 28 years in murder caseThe court also ordered Van der Sloot to pay $75,000 in reparations to the family of the victim.
Scottish politicians fend off accusations of being 'anti-Scottish'The long-simmering debate on Scottish independence has boiled over in Edinburgh, with one politician accusing colleagues of being 'anti-Scottish' for not supporting independence.
Court convenes to sentence Van der Sloot for murderProsecutors have asked for a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and theft in the killing of Stephany Flores.
- Marines urinating on the dead? This is war.
The video of US marines urinating on dead Taliban fighters has shocked many. But the dehumanizing of the enemy was much worse back in the day.
Anti-US chants as slain Iran nuclear expert buriedThe assassination of Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan has raised calls in Iran for retaliation against the US and Israel, and an independent news website Friday said Iran is preparing a covert counteroffensive against the West.
In surprise amnesty, Myanmar releases high-profile political prisonersMyanmar freed hundreds of political prisoners Friday in an amnesty that could pressure the West to lift sanctions as one of the world's most reclusive states opens up.
Spain's Basques enter unfamiliar territory of peacetime politicsThe Basque terrorist group ETA, Europe's last violent separatist movement, agreed to a cease-fire last year, paving the way for Basques to engage in the political process.
Scalp the iPhone 4S in China? No phone for you, says Apple.Apple shut the doors of its flagship Beijing store Friday as scuffles broke out among people - many of them scalpers - waiting to buy the just-released iPhone 4S.
