Japanese stocks plunged on Monday, depressed by a combination of fears over Sino-Japan tensions and concerns over the US economy.

In a historic gathering steeped in intrigue, cardinals from six continents assembled Monday for their first conclave of the new millennium to elect a pope who will inherit John Paul II's mantle and guide the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics into a new era. Representing 52 countries, the 115 crimson-robed "princes" of a church stung by priest sex-abuse scandals and an exodus of the faithful celebrated a midmorning Mass at St. Peter's Basilica before sequestering themselves in the Sistine Chapel late Monday afternoon.

The new pope is elected by cardinals under the age of 80. Here is a breakdown by region and country of the cardinal electors expected to attend the conclave, followed by a list of the 117 electors and of the 66 cardinals aged 80 and over.—FOX News

Once again, the government-coalition steamroller went into action at the National Assembly. On April 14, the regime’s deputies approved the amendment to the Lands and Agricultural Development Law following its second debate in parliament, without taking account of the observations made by the opposition benches.To cut a tall story short, the Bolivarian deputies have performed the task assigned to them: they have handed the Executive an invaluable tool with which to cripple the right to own land in Venezuela -Veneconomy VE

If developing nations are not given more say in global financial institutions, they will leave the fold of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, a top Group of 24 official said."The current system of governance is completely out of line with economic realities," Ariel Buira, director of the G24 Secretariat, told a news conference."What is happening is that many countries are now moving away from these institutions." -Gulf Daily News BH

John R. Bolton -- who is seeking confirmation as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- often blocked then-Secretary of State Colin L.Powell and, on one occasion, his successor, Condoleezza Rice, from receiving information vital to U.S. strategies on Iran, according to current and former officials who have worked with Bolton.Publicly, Rice has staunchly defended Bolton's credentials and urged the Senate to quickly confirm him. But privately, officials said, she has kept him out of key discussions on Iran since taking over in January -Washington Post

In a letter sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where the nomination is now under consideration, Ms. Townsel recounts her most traumatic experience of coming into contact with Bolton. According to Ms. Townsel, "John Bolton did everything he could to intimidate, malign, and threaten, not just me, but anybody unwilling to go along with his version of events." -Daily Times PK

On Aug. 30, 2001, then majority whip Tom DeLay, his wife, his staff and two Florida Republican House members arrived in Malaysia on what was billed as an educational trip.But who really paid for the Malaysia trip?DeLay's spokesman Dan Allen insists, "Heritage sponsored, organized and paid for the trip," and Heritage spokeswoman Khristine Bershers said documentary proof exists in storage but was not immediately available -Time

Will the 2008 presidential race be a contest between Hillary Clinton and Newt Gingrich? Speculation is spreading this weekend as the former speaker of the House is reported to be "plotting an eye-catching comeback," according to London's Sunday Times.--WorldNetDaily