Topic: United Press International Inc.

Renaming Al Qaeda to Tanthim al-Jihadi litahrir al-aksa wa-tawhid al-Umma?

According to newly released documents, Osama bin Laden mulled renaming Al Qaeda amid worries that the terrorist group had become a tarnished brand.

Almost President

Why some of the candidates who lost the race for president ultimately had a bigger impact than many of those who won.

Russell Armstrong: A victim of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'?

Russell Armstrong was found dead, apparently by suicide in California. Did his participation in 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' contribute to his death?

Americans flock to do business in Vietnam - Asia's next economic tiger?

American Jim Okuley is one of many who have recently opened a business in Vietnam not far from where Viet Cong guerrillas once fired rockets.

White House columnist Helen Thomas resigns over Israel remarks

Reporter Helen Thomas apologized for her controversial remarks about Israel, but then abruptly resigned her post. She has covered the White House since 1960.

Helen Thomas retires in flap over Israel remarks

Helen Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, abruptly retired from her job as a columnist for Hearst News Service following controversial remarks she made about Israel.

White House criticizes Helen Thomas for Israel remarks

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Monday said remarks by longtime Washington correspondent Helen Thomas were "offensive and reprehensible."

Southeast Asia: a correspondent's Vietnam revisited 35 years after the fall of Saigon

Every conflict has its own scribes. Southeast Asia's had a singular take.

North Korean, South Korean navies trade fire on disputed border

A South Korean ship fired on a North Korean vessel after it says the North's ship crossed into the South's waters. The exchange ratchets up tensions before US President Obama's Asia visit, scheduled for mid-November.

Foreign correspondents keep an eye on the world

Top Israeli Muslim leader detained, banned from Jerusalem

Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of Israel's Islamic Movement, was banned from Jerusalem after three days of sporadic violence. Police say they banned him on suspicion that he was inciting violence.

Yemen rejects peace talks with rebels

The country has instead launched fresh attacks on a Houthi stronghold. The conflict threatens to destabilize the country, increasing its potential to become a terrorist haven.

Why are they calling it 'climate change' now?

Obama shares a birthday and a smooch with Helen Thomas

Former White House Press Secretary Brady visits briefing room

Sri Lanka says Tamil Tiger leader is dead

The military says it killed Velupillai Prabhakaran, top deputies, and his son, a day after the rebel movement admitted defeat.

Somalia's Al Shabab militants gain ground

Calm returned Monday after four days of heavy fighting in Mogadishu between the extremist group, Al Shabab, and pro-government militias.

Bin Laden tape calls for holy war in Gaza

Israeli forces launched artillery fire into south Lebanon and went deeper into Gaza.

Triple bombing in Baghdad deadliest in months

The blasts took place in Azamiyah – once a hotbed of Sunni-Shiite violence – and may have been an attempt to reignite sectarian conflict.

NATO ground troops attack Taliban stronghold in Pakistan, officials say

The raid may be the first time the US has sent troops into Pakistan. Prior attacks attributed to US forces were conducted with drones.

John Yemma named Monitor editor

After 20 years serving in senior editing posts at the Boston Globe, Yemma is rejoining the Monitor staff in mid-July.

Christians should keep Scripture out of politics

Christ Jesus wasn't crucified to make society fairer.

Turkey offers reforms for Kurdish minority

Long-simmering tensions with Kurdish militant separatists led to a week-long incursion into northern Iraq in February to target bases.

Rising food prices feed security concerns

Asian nations have taken steps to stem rising prices of rice and palm oil. Corn and wheat prices have spiked as well.

North America gets its first carbon tax

The Canadian province of British Columbia hopes to change consumer behavior – and raise revenue – by taxing virtually all fossil fuels, including gasoline and home-heating fuel.