Christian Science Monitor | World

Cambodia's lost city discovered near Angkor Wat

Cambodia's lost city of Mahendraparvata lay hidden beneath a canopy of dense vegetation. Airborne lasers produced a detailed map of a vast cityscape, including highways and previously undiscovered temples near Cambodia's prized Angkor Wat temples.

As Spain's people drift from Catholic Church, government cozies up

Spain's conservative government is considering dramatic restrictions on abortion and has already increase the Catholic Church's role in education, revealing a divided society.

6 international organizations that support jobs and businesses

Microfinance is a big buzzword these days. The World Bank defines it as “the provision of financial services to the entrepreneurial poor.” In fact, the Bank says that about 95 percent of these individuals around the world do not have ways to obtain credit, insurance, and other components of microfinance.

Many organizations, both in the United States and abroad, seek to help entrepreneurial individuals and small businesses through microfinance and other means. Here are just six of these organizations that support job creation and new businesses around the world.

10 biggest US foundations and what they do

Recently, Americans have expressed sympathy for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings and the Moore, Okla., tornado by contributing to their respective funds.

Charitable giving in the United States is making a comeback. Although individual donations fell with the onset of the Great Recession in 2007, they began to increase again in 2010 with $209 billion given. That rose to $217 billion in 2011, according to USA Today.

What are the 10 biggest foundations in the United States? Here they are in ascending order, based on their assets, along with a little bit about what social problems each addresses.

G8 wraps with progress on tax evasion - but not on Syria

The summit leaders agreed to crack down on money laundering and illegal tax evasion, but Russia and the West remain at odds over how to resolve the Syrian civil war.

Chile: LED light bulb heist highlights high cost of energy

Approximately $100,000 worth of LED light bulbs were stolen in Santiago, Chile, where electricity can cost more than 10 percent of the median income.

How about this Canada quiz, eh?

Test your knowledge on all things Canadian with this quiz.

Can fragmented Egypt find 15 million who want President Morsi out?

The key to the success of Egypt's 'Rebel' campaign may be its modest scope: Collecting signatures on a petition calling for early elections to replace President Morsi.

Corruption, drugs, profanity: Mayors pull lid off 'boring' Canada

Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who was allegedly caught on video smoking crack cocaine, has been joined by Montreal's interim mayor, charged with corruption, fraud, and extortion.

Kenya giving laptops to all first graders, amid controversy

Newly elected Uhuru Kenyatta, with Microsoft's help, wants universal e-literacy for students in this East African nation. Critics call it ill-conceived, costly.

'G7 plus one'? Isolated Russia holds line on Syria.

The G8 summit ended today with Russia far from agreement with the West over how to resolve the Syrian civil war. Russian experts say the rift is probably permanent.

Syrian rebels cling to enclave in eastern Lebanon

The Lebanese town Arsal, a Sunni stronghold surrounded by Shiite villages, is a haven for refugees and a weapons depot for rebel fighters. Its loss would be devastating.

From a caged teen in a basement in India to literary fame

Salma is now the most famous female poet in southern India – and the subject of a new documentary film.

Brazilians stage largest protests in 20 years, bearing a multitude of complaints

Hundreds of thousands are demonstrating in more than 20 cities across Brazil in a show of frustration over poor public services, preparations for mega-events like the Olympics, and the police's harsh response to previous protests.

Poll shows Erdogan's popularity has taken a hit. Could he lose his mandate?

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's approval rating has dropped almost 10 points since December, with a sharp decline since he began cracking down on protesters in Istanbul.

Challenge to elite South African schools that segregate by language

Courts will decide whether Fochville High can offer instruction only in Afrikaans, which blacks mostly do not speak.

After 12 years, NATO passes security responsibility to Afghan forces

The formal transfer of Afghan forces into the lead of the fight in Afghanistan is raising questions about whether they're prepared to fight on their own.

Barbra Streisand: Women shouldn't sit in back of bus in Israel (+video)

Barbra Streisand: American actress Barbra Streisand said Orthodox Jews in Israel shouldn't treat women as second class citizens. Streisand was in Israel getting an honorary doctorate at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Modern technology finds the lost city of Mahendraparvata

Airborne lasers produced a detailed map of the lost city of Mahendraparvata, including highways and previously undiscovered temples, hidden beneath dense vegetation in Cambodia.

New poll shows growing Arab trust in regional press

A poll by Northwestern in Qatar, due out tomorrow, shows growing trust in regional news outlets across the Arab world.