Despite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s acceptance of a U.N. peace plan, activists say government troops launched assaults on several towns today outside Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo where the target is rebel army defectors. In other headlines: the U.S. is ready to ease sanctions against Myanmar; the Pentagon announces the accused mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks will stand trial before a war crimes tribunal; a population shift is underway from the outer suburbs into cities; and the Masters Tournament starts today at the all-male Augusta National Golf Club.