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A major blast inside what's known as the "Square of Security" in the Syrian capital today is the latest sign of the deteriorating security situation in the capital. The instability has grown so quickly in the past month or so that many die-hard Damascenes are fleeing.

What if you put all 7 billion humans into one city, a city as dense as New York, with its towers and skyscrapers? How big would that 7 billion-sized city be? As big as New Jersey? Texas? Bigger? Are cities protecting wild spaces on the planet? We try a little experiment to find out.

Congress returns from a two-week recess amid reports that a gun deal in the Senate may have gained late momentum; a focus on immigration to include a rally on Capitol Hill and perhaps movement in the Senate; and a budget proposal from President Obama that already has some in his own party fuming.

As Deputy Director of President George W. Bush's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Kuo hoped to be a force inside the White House advocating for the poor. He left after two years, disillusioned and believing he had been used solely to recruit evangelical voters. Kuo, who died Friday at 44, talked to Fresh Air in 2006.

Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, died Monday following a stroke at the age of 87. Thatcher served for 11 years and was a highly divisive leader. She is remembered for implementing sweeping reforms of Britain's economy and for her key role in the demise of the Soviet Union.

Prosperity in Mount Hope, W.Va., faded along with the local coal industry. Residents are hopeful that a Boy Scout camp atop a nearby mountain, slated to open in July, will attract new residents, visitors and dollars to the town. But others are worried any new wealth will remain on the mountaintop.

Residents in Memphis, Tenn., are thrilled that Swedish appliance giant Electrolux is opening a new factory there this year. The company plans to employ 1,200 people at the new, high-tech facility. But in Webster, Iowa, an Electrolux plant closure in 2011 has left the local economy reeling.

Johnson joined the company from Apple and tried to change the look, feel and function of the retail stores. The strategy failed; JC Penny lost $4.3 billion in sales since Johnson became CEO.

April Fool's Day was one week ago — but an elaborate hoax targeting Pastor Joel Osteen gained wide attention Monday, after those behind the hoax used Twitter, YouTube, and other social media to spread spurious claims that the pastor had renounced his faith and would close his huge Texas church.

One possible proposal in President Obama's budget would change the way Medicare patients pay for their care. It's been floated as a possible bipartisan compromise, but it's an idea with a long, controversial and unsuccessful history.