World News

China

• One day before a two-day human rights dialogue set to begin tomorrow, the Chinese government has stated that they "oppose any country using human rights issues as an excuse to interfere in China's domestic affairs."  Given that the entire purpose of the meeting is to discuss, as the US State Department put it, China's "recent negative trend of forced disappearances, extralegal detention, and arrests and convictions", this bodes ill for the talks.
• Further talks between the US and China will be held next month, as the two countries attempt to reach a common ground about currency.  The US will most likely continue to complain that the yuan is being kept artificially low to aid exports, and China will most likely continue to take the position that a sudden rise in its currency would hurt its economy.

Greece

• The Greek budget deficit has been revised upwards to 10.5% of annual economic output[1], worse than the original 9.6% estimate and significantly above the target 8% required as part of the nation's bailout package.  The only nation in a worse position is the Republic of Ireland (with debt at 32.4% of annual economic output), but the United Kingdom comes in a close third at 10.4% of annual economic output.

Libya

• Government forces continue to besiege Misrata, and have expanded their military campaign to begin attacking rebel towns in the nation's western mountains.
• Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has approved the use of the Italian air force in NATO air strikes.

Russia

• In a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for new international rules to govern safety at nuclear power plants.

Syria

• Along with the tanks deployed yesterday to suppress pro-democracy protesters in Deraa, President al-Assad has sent snipers into the city.  Western nations have criticized his use of force, but have taken no actions to stop it - mostly out of fear that a collapse of al-Assad's minority Alawite minority might lead to sectarian conflict.[2]
• The United Kingdom, France, and Italy have jointly called for the European Union and the UN to put pressure on Syria to end its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

United Kingdom

• London Metropolitan Police plan to have 5000 officers on the streets on Friday to prevent any disruptions during the royal wedding.  In addition 60 known or suspected troublemakers - mostly people who were arrested during the recent student protests - have been banned from London for the day.  "If you see anybody in the crowd that is acting suspiciously please bring it to the earliest attention of our officers," said Assistant Commissioner Lynne Owens at a news conference, "There will be thousands of officers on duty, lining the route, and they are there to help you."

Venezuela

• President Hugo Chavez, up for reelection in 2012, has increased the nation's minimum wage by 25%, drawing upon the nation's socialized oil revenues to increase social spending.

Yemen

• Gulf Arab officials expect a deal for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to cede power could be finalized as early as next week.  Opposition protesters remain skeptical.

 

[1]  Annual economic output is GDP plus the total monetary value of goods and services consumed or used up as inputs in production.

[2]  As opposed to the sectarian Alawite on Sunni conflict we're seeing now .