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LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — In the Nigerian town from which hundreds of schoolgirls were abducted by Islamic extremists, family members are hoping to watch a video released by the kidnappers today. It appears to show the schoolgirls, in Islamic attire, sitting on the ground, barefoot and praying in Arabic. There have been reports that Christians among the students have been forced to convert to Islam, and that some have been forced to marry their kidnappers.
DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — A day after a referendum that's been labeled a sham by the United States and the West, pro-Russian insurgents in Ukraine's Donetsk region are declaring independence and asking to join Russia. Organizers said about 90 percent of those who cast ballots yesterday in Donetsk and in a neighboring region backed sovereignty for the areas along Russia's border. They form Ukraine's industrial heartland. There's no response from Russia -- but the Kremlin suggested earlier it had no intention of immediately annexing the two regions.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Three crew members on the sunken South Korean ferry are being designated as martyrs today, for giving their lives to save others as the ship was sinking last month. That means they can be buried in a national cemetery, and their families will be eligible for financial compensation and medical assistance. A witness has said one of the crew members gave up her life vest to a student who didn't have one.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Monument is reopening to the public, 33 months after an earthquake damaged the 130-year-old stone obelisk. After a morning ceremony, the 555-foot stone monument that was once the tallest structure in the world will reopen to visitors this afternoon. In August 2011, the monument's white marble and mortar were cracked during an unusual 5.8-magnitude earthquake that sent visitors scrambling as debris fell. New exhibits have been installed, and visitors can once again ride an elevator to look out from the highest point in the nation's capital.
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler is reporting some big sales gains in the first quarter of the year, thanks to the new Jeep Cherokee and Ram pickup. But the company's bottom line reflects charges related to its merger with Italian automaker Fiat. Overall, Chrysler is showing a loss of nearly $700 million for the quarter. But without the charges related to the merger, net income more than doubled to $486 million.
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