Clinton on gay marriage — Saying that “gay rights are human rights," Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and potential 2016 presidential candidate, has endorsed same-sex marriage. “I believe America is at its best when we champion the freedom and dignity of every human being," Clinton said in a video posted Monday on the Internet by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group.
Art heist — The FBI says it has solved the decades-old mystery of who stole $500 million in artwork from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, but it is withholding the identities of the thieves, adding another twist to the largest property heist in U.S. history. On Monday, the 23rd anniversary of the theft, authorities announced a new publicity campaign aimed at generating tips on what they still don't know: Where is the missing artwork?
Bloomberg's cigarette plan — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, fresh off a defeat in his campaign to limit large servings of sugary drinks, is returning to a front where he has enjoyed far more success: making it harder to smoke, by proposing legislation Monday requiring stores to put cigarettes out of sight. The campaign is intended to shield children from tobacco marketing and to keep people who have quit smoking from making impulse buys of cigarettes, he said.
Syria opposition — Syria's opposition coalition has elected Ghassan Hitto to serve as prime minister of its interim government. It remains unclear, however, if the hundreds of rebel brigades fighting Assad's forces in Syria will accept the government's authority. Hitto was born in Damascus in 1963 and has lived in the United States for decades, most recently in Wayne, Texas. He has worked in technology and for various Islam-related causes.
Tennessee wildfire — Heavy rain helped firefighters contain a Tennessee wildfire Monday after flames burned nearly 60 rental cabins in a resort area outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Casey Anthony — The trustee overseeing Casey Anthony's bankruptcy case has filed a motion to sell the rights to her story so she can pay her debts. In a motion filed Friday in federal court in Tampa, trustee Stephen Meininger asked Judge K. Rodney May for permission to sell the “exclusive worldwide rights" of Anthony's life story. Anthony, who is now 26, was acquitted of murder in 2011 in the death her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.
Korea tensions — The United States is flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers on training missions over South Korea to highlight Washington's commitment to defend an ally amid rising tensions with North Korea, Pentagon officials said Monday. Pentagon press secretary George Little said one B-52 flew over South Korea on March 8, and the deputy defense secretary, Ashton Carter, said during a visit to Seoul that another bomber mission is scheduled for today.
Nigeria bombing — Suicide bombers crashed an explosives-laden Volkswagen into a crowded bus Monday as it was parked at a depot in Kano, northern Nigeria's largest city, and officials said at least 20 people were killed, possibly many more, as the conflagration spread to four nearby buses.
Labor nominee — President Barack Obama on Monday named the nation's top civil rights lawyer, Thomas Perez, to lead the Department of Labor, setting up the next confirmation fight with congressional Republicans who vowed to probe the nominee's record on voting rights and immigration.
— From wire reports
