Tension loomed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo city of Goma on Monday night as rebel commanders refused to leave the city ahead of a midnight deadline imposed by regional leaders and the African Union.

POL-Mexico-President-US-Visit

Mexico's new leader has a message for U.S. officials as he heads to Washington this week: Ties between the neighboring nations must go beyond the drug war. Just four days before his inauguration, Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday. And he says he wants to reshuffle the list of priorities the United States and Mexico share.

Mexico-Leaving-US

In a remote town in northern Mexico, a 10-year-old-boy is struggling with his homework. His name is Oscar Castellanos and the fifth grader is getting extra help from his father because he's having trouble adjusting to his new school. The student enrolled at Leona Vicario Elementary in the town of Cananea is technically a foreigner in his father's land. Oscar was born in Arizona and is a U.S. citizen. He recites the U.S. pledge of allegiance by memory without hesitation. His English accent is that of a boy raised in the American southwest.

Mexico-Beauty-Queen-Death

A Mexican beauty queen was killed during a weekend shootout in the restive northern state of Sinaloa, authorities said Monday. Maria Susana Flores Gamez , 20, was the 2012 Woman of Sinaloa. She was killed Saturday during clashes between criminals and military troops in the municipality of Mocorito. Two others, both men, also were killed in the shootout.

Global-Climate-Talks

On December 11, 1997, the world agreed that climate change needed to be tackled. The grandly named United Nations Framework on Climate Change adopted the Kyoto Protocol on that day, and it was eventually ratified by 191 countries. Now it's about to expire with a whimper.

Germany-Workshop-Fire

Fire raged through a workshop for the disabled in southwestern Germany on Monday, killing 14 people, police said.

Bangladesh-Fire-Mourning

As Bangladesh prepared to mourn the deaths of more than 100 clothing factory workers, firefighters battled a blaze at another apparel factory near Dhaka on Monday.

Israel-Barak-Resigns

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced his resignation Monday, saying he will quit politics in January to spend more time with his family.

US-Mexico-Fugitive-Captured

When Joe Saenz walked up to a Whittier, California-area home in summer 2008, a surveillance video shows he was smiling, rubbing his hands and greeting associates, according to authorities. On the streets he was known by the nickname "Smiley," and his demeanor that day fit that handle -- right up until he reached the front yard of the home. That's when, the FBI and police say, he drew a gun and shot one man several times in the head, execution-style. It was not the first murder Saenz was accused of. Authorities also say that in 1998 he killed two rival gang members and kidnapped, raped and killed his girlfriend. The FBI placed Saenz on its 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2009. Authorities suspect he later became a hit man for a Mexican drug cartel. Saenz eluded arrest for 14 years. But on Friday, authorities announced his capture in Guadalajara, Mexico, after a tip led officers to his location.

Dissolving-Sea-Snails

The shells of tiny snails in parts of the Southern Ocean are being dissolved as the water becomes more acidic as a result of the burning of fossil fuels by humans, scientists say.

Bear-attack-british-columbia

An elderly couple survived a bear attack in rural British Columbia, and authorities are hunting for the animal.

Queen-Elizabeth-Portraits-Exhibition

Four portraits of Queen Elizabeth II by pop artist Andy Warhol have gone on display at her home, Windsor Castle, for the first time as part of an exhibition of official images of the monarch marking the end of her Diamond Jubilee year.

SPORT-Golf-McIlroy-Majors-2012

Rory McIlroy is to trim his schedule to focus on 2013's four major trophies after a fairytale year in which he won both the U.S. PGA and European Tour money lists to finish on top of the world rankings.