John Foster

Congo's Nyiragongo volcano exploded in a massive eruption on Jan. 18, instantly killing 45 people in the city of Goma. In the aftermath, burning lava caused unearthed storage tanks at a gas station to explode when large numbers of people were attempting to siphon off fuel for their vehicles. An additional 50 people were killed in the explosion. UN estimates of the displaced and homeless run as high as 350,000.

"Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life," said Pope John Paul II.

Saudi rulers are increasingly uncomfortable with the American military presence in their country and may soon ask that it end, according to several Saudi Arabian sources. Such a decision would deprive the United States of regular use of the Prince Sultan Air Base, from which U.S. power has been projected into the Gulf region and beyond for more than a decade.

The royal family has at least momentarily laid aside internal conflict in the face of trouble on various fronts with growing Islamic extremism and Saudi-U.S. relations strained. Still, Abdullah's strategy may alienate one of his key bases of support and undercut his political clout in the long run.