The Dalai Lama steps down on the day that we discover that Chickens (yes the birds you eat) are capable of feeling empathy. Also, there's the man who created a perfume out of his own poop, a study that tells us stress is good for you, and the most committed fan of Julia Roberts ever. Let's get started...

1. The Dalai Lama gives up political role. Today, in New Delhi, the leader announced that he would formally relinquish his political leadership role in the Tibetan exile government, a decision intended to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement on the eve of elections to choose a new generation of political leaders. [NYT]

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