WYSO-FM: Renee Montagne

American democracy workers are headed home from Egypt, where they had been under a travel ban.

Federal prosecutors Wednesday unveiled the most serious criminal charges yet in the West Virginia explosion that killed 29 workers. The new charges involve officials at former mine owner Massey Energy who were directly responsible for managing Upper Big Branch.

Ahead of Senegal's presidential elections this coming weekend, rock-throwing youth have been pouring into the streets of the capital Dakar to protest the president's desire for a third term. They say they will make Senegal ungovernable unless Abdoulaye Wade, 85, steps down.

All wars bring innovation — primarily in weapons and medicine. But today's conflicts are also bringing advances in house design, to accommodate wounded veterans. On an Army post in Virginia, two new houses are being hailed as breakthroughs.