>>China - Yesterday, fighting heavy rain and destroyed roads, rescuers finally reached the epicenter of the earthquake in Wenchuan county, where as many as 60,000 people are still missing. By some estimates, the overall death toll is already north of 15,000. China's central government has sent $160 million and 50,000 troops in relief.

>>Myanmar - Aid workers in Myanamar are concerned that even the small amount of aid they have been able to get to the capital is not being delivered it to its intended destination, a duty that the military junta has reserved for itself. The British Perm Rep to the UN has received unconfirmed reports that aid is being redirected away from victims. Meanwhile, the junta is still blocking large-scale aid drops and has refused U.S. offers of assistance, as well as those of China, Bangladesh, Singapore, and Thailand. Over 11,000 U.S. troops are in Thailand conducting a military exercise. Also, on Monday Doctors Without Borders was ordered out of the Irrawaddy Delta, and less than half of the visa applications for UN relief officials have been processed.

>>Middle East - President Bush landed in Tel Aviv this morning, to begin a five-country, three-day tour of the Middle East. He has already met with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and plans to meet with Mahmoud Abbas later in the week at Sharm el-Sheikh. The trip coincides with the 60th anniversary of Israel.

>>Colombia - Colombia extradited 14 paramilitary leaders to the U.S. yesterday, an unprecedented action at a time when Colombia is hoping for a trade deal with the U.S. The men will face drug-trafficking charges. Such extraditions are controversial in Colombia and among the human rights community as the prisoners will only serve time for breaking U.S. law not atrocities committed in Colombia. Though they may end up spending more time in jail in the U.S. and, after extradition, are less able to command their networks, which has been a major problem when they were held in Colombian prisons.

• California Gets Clarity
• The Matthew Yglesias Interview
• Boston Globe: The United Nations Can Save Burma

Africa

• Somalia - Somali gunmen kidnap Kenyan lecturer in Mogadishu
• Sudan - U.N. council condemns Darfur rebel attack on Khartoum
• Zimbabwe - Ambassador Andrew Pocock seized as he investigates violence in Zimbabwe
• Sudan - Add Darfur rebels to terror list, Sudan urges world

Americas

• Colombia - Colombia extradites 14 jailed warlords to US
• Mexico - Mexico sends troops to fight Sinaloa drug cartel
• Brazil - Brazil's Amazon minister resigns
• Haiti - Haitian protesters trade food riots for jobs

Asia

• China - Rescuers Struggle to Reach Quake Survivors
• Myanmar - Myanmar Restricting Aid Delivery
• China - Olympic Torch Relay Celebrations Scaled Back
• North Korea - North Korea Documents Make Debut, at a Distance
• Vietnam - Journalists Arrested for Corruption Reports
• China - First Beijing death linked to China virus outbreak
• North Korea - U.S. Increases Estimate Of N. Korean Plutonium
• Myanmar - New Storm Heads Toward Myanmar

Europe

• Ireland - Northern Ireland policeman survives car bomb attack
• Spain - Barcelona forced to import emergency water
• Spain - Several injured by bomb in Northern Spain police barracks
• Serbia - Nationalist Premier of Serbia Teams Up With Radical Party
• Italy - Italy PM called in rendition case

Middle East

• Israel - Police suspect Olmert aided bids for government contracts, reports claim
• Iraq - Gates Urges Military to Focus on Iraq, Afghanistan
• Jordan - Jordan 'tough' on honour killer
• Lebanon - Saudis blame Iran for Lebanon 'coup'
• Iran - Iran president to offer proposals to ease nuclear row
• Iraq - U.S. Colonel Says Iran Is Assassinating Iraqi Officials
• Israel - Bush Arrives for Middle Eastern Tour

>>China - A 7.8 magnitude earthquake jolted Sichuan yesterday leaving nearly 12,000 dead so far. The shock, felt as far away as Bangkok, severed road, rail, air, and phone links to the region, hampering relief efforts and forcing some Chinese troops to march as much as 100 miles to reach affected areas. Tens of thousands are still trapped in collapsed buildings, including 900 teenagers in a school in Dujiangyan city. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao flew to the scene and made an emotional statement on CCTV.

>>Iraq - Violence flared again in Sadr City yesterday, as U.S. troops were attacked by who are thought to be supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr. These attacks put into question the agreement reached on Saturday between the government of Iraq and Sadr to end fighting and the amount of control that Sadr has over his supporters.

>>Lebanon - Yesterday, as violence eased across Lebanon, the Lebanese Army, long seen as a neutral institution, said that it would begin to use force to stop fighting between government supporters and Hezbollah. The army remains deployed to the mountains east of Beirut and northern Lebanon as part of an agreement for them to take over militia positions and collect arms. Reportedly, some government supporters are beginning to distrust the army because it did not stop Hezbollah from seizing control of western Beirut on Friday.

• The Pop Becomes Political
• Gareth Evans on Myanmar Situation and R2P

Africa

• Nigeria - Obasanjo denies power corruption
• South Africa - South African mob kills migrants
• Sudan - Sudan briefly detains Islamist for alleged rebel links
• South Africa - Apartheid court case can go ahead in New York
• Sudan - Chad closes its border with Sudan
• Kenya - In Kenya, Violence Shakes Running Community
• Sudan - Fear after mass arrests in Sudan
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe MDC says regional observers enough for run-off

Americas

• Bolivia - Morales sets Bolivia recall date
• Venezuela - Venezuela takes over steel firm
• Haiti - Haiti MPs reject new PM candidate

Asia

• China - Dalai Lama Expects Talks With China to Resume
• Philippines - Philippines pardons coup leaders
• Timor - Horta wants UN to stay in E Timor
• Japan - Japan's teenage smokers face wrinkle test
• Korea - S.Korea to discuss North's nuclear list with China

Europe

• Serbia - Serbia Braces for Electoral Showdown
• Serbia - Socialists hold key to power in Serbia
• France - France to liberate retail industry

Middle East

• Lebanon - Lebanese troops fail to stop violence between Hizbullah and pro-government forces
• Israel - Israel police seize Olmert papers
• Israel - Gaza Rocket Kills Another Israeli
• Lebanon - Bush offers help for Lebanon army
• Iraq - Violence flares in Baghdad's Sadr City despite truce

>>Sudan - The rebel Justice and Equality Movement launched an attack on a Khartoum suburb Saturday, the first time in decades that the civil war has touched the capital. The Government rebutted the attack and severed diplomatic ties with Chad, who President al-Bashir blames for fomenting the attacks. JEM, which is seeking a stronger voice for regions in Sudan's central government, fields only a few thousand soldiers compared to the government's force of 100,000. JEM leader, Khalil Ibrahim, vowed more attacks.

>>Serbia - In Serbia's general election yesterday, the President's pro-EU party, the Coalition for a European Serbia, appears to have secured a surprising victory over the anti-EU nationalists, represented by the Serbian Radical party. The Coalition did not win an outright majority, and it is still unclear whether it will be able to form a government as many smaller parties may side with the Serbian Radicals. The Socialist party, formerly led by Slobodan Milosevic, made unexpected gains and could be crucial in forming the new government. Prior to the vote, analysts had predicted that international support for Kosovo's independence would be a boon for the Serbian Radicals.

>>Lebanon - Hezbollah gunmen clashed with pro-government Druze in the mountains east of Beirut, killing 36. Hezbollah fighters overran positions of those loyal to Walid Jumblatt in the Chouf mountains before an agreement was struck for the Lebanese army to deploy in the area. The violence over the last five days, the worst since the civil war of the 1900s, has caused the Arab League to send a delegation headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, the Qatari foreign minister, to help end the crisis.

• All Hail the Potato
• Here We Go Again
• Burmese Junta, Now Impounding Aid
• UN Envoy: Women's Rights Critical to Liberian Development
• Burma/Myanmar and the Responsibility to Protect

Africa

• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe opposition seeks peacekeepers for run-off
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe police arrest activists
• Sudan - Sudan 'drives Darfur rebels back'
• Sudan - Sudan severs Chad ties after Darfur rebels attack capital
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe election may be delayed
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe rejects Western election observers
• Nigeria - Obasanjo denies power corruption

Americas

• Venezuela - Chavez denies charges of ties to Colombia rebels
• Venezuela - Venezuela's Chavez to buy Chinese K-8 planes
• Colombia - UK palm oil consumption fuels Colombia violence, says report
• Venezuela - Venezuela's Chavez slams Germany's Merkel comments
• Chile - Hacker posts data of 6m Chileans

Asia

• Myanmar - Myanmar Junta Still Blocking Much Cyclone Aid
• Japan - Japan wary of China's panda diplomacy
• China - Gordon Brown appeases Chinese by barring Dalai Lama from No 10
• China - China travel agents seek to cash in on torch euphoria
• China - Food prices drive China inflation
• China - Earthquake hits western China
• South Korea - Cull after bird flu hits S Korea

Europe

• Serbia - Defiant Serbia conducts elections in Kosovo
• Serbia - Pro-EU parties take surprise lead in Serbian election

Middle East

• Lebanon - Fighting spreads east of Beirut
• Israel - Embattled Israeli PM gets boost from party
• Israel - Israel aims to be at forefront of green motoring with Renault Sedan
• Israel - UN official: Basic humanitarian needs unmet in Gaza
• Israel - Egyptian mediator to meet Israelis after Hamas agrees ceasefire plan
• Israel - Israelis don't believe scandal-hit Olmert: poll
• Israel - Israel allows fuel back into Gaza
• Yemen - Yemen court sentences four Shi'ite rebels to death

>>Myanmar - The first aid supplies are on their way to Myanmar in a UN plane as the military junta continues to drag its feet on large-scale international aid. The first shipment includes high-energy biscuits, medical kits, and tents. The World Food Program says that two more planes are expected to follow. The UN is still waiting for visas for 40 of its disaster relief experts. The U.S. embassy in Myanmar stated yesterday that the death toll could be as high as 100,000, and France's foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, has suggested the UN bypass the junta to deliver aid, evoking the "responsibility to protect" clause.

>>Burundi - A day after the Forces for National Liberation, the remaining active rebel group, agreed to implement a peace deal, Burundi's army killed 50 FNL fighters in a gun fight outside of Bujumbura. Both sides claim they were provoked. The people of Burundi have suffered under a decade-long civil war between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority that has left over 300,000 dead.

>>Israel - Celebrations have begun in Israel to mark its 60th anniversary. President Bush will visit next week. Palestinians, on the other hand, are holding solemn marches in the West Bank to mark the day they call al-Nakba, or "the Catastrophe." The celebrations are also overshadowed by a continuing corruption probe against Prime Minister Olmert, which prompted him to cancel the customary interviews granted to local media on independence day.

• Djibouti Asks for UN Help
• World AIDS Orphan Day
• After A Devastating Natural Disaster...

Africa

• Somalia - Watchdog slams attack on Somali woman journalist
• Congo - Congo factions still recruiting child fighters: U.N.
• Kuwait - Pentagon confirms ex-Guantanamo detainee carried out Iraq bombing
• Zimbabwe - Post-Election Violence Worsens in Zimbabwe
• Somalia - Roadside bomb kills 8 troops in Somalia
• Sudan - U.N. chief condemns recent Darfur bombings
• Burundi - Burundi army and rebels clash, 52 killed: army
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe 'too violent for poll'

Americas

• Chile - Families refuse to flee Chilean volcano eruption
• Cuba - Cuban blogger given press award
• Mexico - Senior Mexico policeman dies despite army presence
• Argentina - Ash Cloud Grounds Flights as It Spreads
• Colombia - Colombian Commander Extradited to U.S. After Leniency Deal Collapses
• Haiti - Haitian Senate approves new prime minister
• Argentina - Argentina farm talks break down
• Chile - Fresh fears over Chilean volcano

Asia

• Myanmar - Burma allows UN flight but not visas
• Taiwan - Taiwanese ministers quit over missing millions
• China - China Olympics tickets sold out
• Japan - Magnitude 6.7 earthquake jolts eastern Japan
• Myanmar - French Official Urges U.N. to Force Aid on Myanmar
• China - Chinese orchestra plays for Pope
• Myanmar - Stricken Storm Survivors Find Way to High Ground
• North Korea - U.S. envoy returns to N.Korea to extract nuclear list
• Malaysia - Malaysia woman scores rare legal win to quit Islam
• Japan - Campus protests as China's Hu courts Japan public
• China - Olympic torch reaches Everest peak
• Philippines - Bomb Kills Three in Philippines

Europe

• Germany - Germany bans far-right groups
• Ireland - Cowen Elected Prime Minister of Ireland
• Italy - Berlusconi Chooses Cabinet, Reuniting a Familiar Cast
• Spain - Navy accused of deadly attack on migrant boat

Middle East

• Iran - British Court Reject Terrorist Label for Iranian Group
• Iraq - Iraq urges Iran, U.S. to hold talks
• Lebanon - Lebanese opposition threatens to extend protests
• Yemen - Two Japanese women kidnapped in Yemen
• Israel - Israel 'to compromise for peace'
• Iraq - White House tells court of missing emails from beginning of Iraq war
• Iraq - A DIY journalist's account of what he saw in Iraq
• Syria - Atomic Agency Seeks Answers
• Israel - Israel begins 60th celebrations
• Lebanon - Lebanon violence spreads beyond Beirut

According to conservative estimates, over 15 million children worldwide have lost at least one parent to AIDS. That population, equivalent to the population of New York, Paris, and Bangkok combined and mostly living in sub-Saharan Africa, is vulnerable to exploitation, including forced labor, prostitution, and child soldiering, and stands a greater chance of suffering from malnutrition and contracting HIV themselves. That population also constitutes a tremendous strain on communities already straining under the weight of other significant health and development challenges.

Simply put, resources are needed. As such, in 2002 FXB International founded World Aids Orphans Day, a grassroots campaign to push all nations to direct at least 10 percent of their HIV/AIDS funding to the care of orphans. So far, the US, UK, and Ireland are the only nations to do so. To join the effort, go to www.worldaidsorphans.org.

>>Lebanon - Gunmen supportive of Hezbollah and those of the U.S.-backed government clashed in the streets of Beirut today. Hezbollah supporters blocked the main roads with barricades made of old cars and burning tires. Yesterday the government accused Hezbollah of violating Lebanon's sovereignty by operating its own telecommunications network, which the government has said it will shut down, and installing spy cameras at the airport.

>>Chile - The once-thought-dormant Chaitén volcano in southern Chile erupted again yesterday, blasting ash and lava dozens of miles into the air. Residents living withing a 30-mile radius were evacuated, and, with the help of navy warships, moved to Patagonia. Since it began on Friday, the eruption has covered a 60-square-mile block with 15 inches of ash, destroying farmland, rendering the air unbreathable, contaminated water supplies, and making rescue efforts difficult.

>>Myanmar - As the death toll in the wake of Cyclone Nargis (damage graphic) rises to 22,500, Myanmar's military junta is experiencing increased pressure from abroad to further open its doors to international aid. The World Food Program has said that as many as a million people have lost their homes. Over 24 million people live in the declared disaster areas. A UN assessment team is still waiting on their visas. Some, including President Bush speaking yesterday in Washington, have also taken the opportunity to press on political reforms.

• Significant Progress in Sierra Leone
• Bears and Bugs
• Obama's Influence in Nigeria?
• The Necessity of a Building
• Major UN Renovation Officially Underway

Africa

• South Africa - South Africa seeks new laws to fight terror financing
• South Africa - Zuma deputy poised to become MP
• Rwanda - Kenya freezes assets of top Rwanda genocide suspect
• Sudan - U.N. seeks urgent access to Darfur bombing victims
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe observers question presidential results
• Somalia - Food Prices Set Off Second Day of Unrest
• Nigeria - Niger Delta push for US mediator

Americas

• Ecuador - Ecuadoreans may force out US military
• Brazil - Brazil jury absolves rancher in murder of U.S. nun
• Columbia - U.S. Accuses Russian of Arms Smuggling
• Mexico - Mexican Drug Cartels Making Audacious Pitch for Recruits

Asia

• Myanmar - As Myanmar Reels, Election Is Delayed in Some Areas
• Myanmar - Aid Faces Difficulties Reaching Remote Myanmar Regions
• North Korea - US plans to send envoy to North Korea for nuclear talks
• China - China hits at Baxter in heparin probe
• Japan - After panda goodwill, Japan, China tackle disputes
• China - Deadly China child virus won't be another SARS: doctor
• Hong Kong - HK to introduce competition law

Europe

• Italy - Italy facing heavy fines over mounting rubbish piles in Naples
• Poland - Conditions Set for Planned U.S. Missile Shield
• Germany - Germany bans far-right groups

Middle East

• Lebanon - Beirut to axe Hezbollah telecoms
• Iraq - 'Saddam's jail diaries' published
• Israel - Olmert Tied to New York Developer in Scandal
• Iraq - Greek Islands, Overwhelmed by Refugees, Seek Help
• Lebanon - Anti-government protesters paralyze Beirut
• Israel - Palestinians see peace deal delay if Olmert quits
• Iran - Iran hardliners criticize Khatami's 'insulting' speech

The death toll in Myanmar is now over 22,000.

>>Sudan - Two aid agencies have accused Sudan of bombing the village of Shegeg Karo in Darfur, destroying a primary school and a market and killing 13 people, including 7 children. Such an action would violate the UN Security Council resolution banning all offensive flying in the area. UNAMID is mobilizing helicopters to evacuate the wounded.

>>China/Japan - Hu Jintao arrived in Japan today for the first visit by a Chinese president in a decade. He will spend five days in Japan; to kill the time there is even a scheduled game of ping pong with the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. Last year, China became Japan's biggest trading partner, eclipsing the U.S. Controversial issues, like Japan's wartime record, Taiwan, and Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council, will be avoided, despite the fact that recent polling shows that the Japanese want their government to take a harder line on China. The big question is whether Hu will offer Japan another panda to replace Ling Ling.

>>Iran - Yesterday Iran called off a pending fourth round of talks with the U.S. that was intended to address security in Iraq. The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said that continued talks "make no sense" as long as the U.S. continues attacks in Sadr City, a stronghold of the Shia Mahdi Army. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said, oddly, "It is meaningless to have talks on anything with Iran as long as they don't change their behavior. That said, we have continued to be willing and ready, and are willing and ready, to have additional discussions with the Iranians through this tripartite channel."

• No Fuel, No Food
• UN stands ready to assist after deadly cyclone batters Myanmar
• Lies and the Lying Liars

• No Fuel, No Food
• UN stands ready to assist after deadly cyclone batters Myanmar
• Lies and the Lying Liars

Africa

• Sudan - Sudan bombs Darfur school and market, 13 killed
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe election body to decide poll date soon
• South Africa - Mbeki releases report on controversial crime unit
• Ghana - Ghana sets curfew after five killed in tribal clash
• Rwanda - Rwanda official in genocide trial
• Kenya - Scarred by Strife After Election, Kenya Begins to Heal
• Somalia - Troops Fire on Rioters in Somalia, Killing 2

Americas

• Chile - Erupting volcano prompts new evacuation in Chile
• Haiti - Haiti riot instigators set deadline to install PM
• Bolivia - Crisis in Bolivia after vote for autonomy
• Mexico - 16 Are Killed as Gunmen Seek Rancher in Mexico
• Guatemala - Guatemala halts foreign adoptions

Asia

• Japan - China-Japan goodwill summit contends with rifts
• Taiwan - Taiwan Vice Premier Suspected of Corruption
• Japan - Gallows broadcast shocks Japan into debating the death penalty
• Myanmar - Myanmar believes 13,000 dead, missing from cyclone
• China - Dalai Lama envoy upbeat on China talks; expects more
• China - Virus epidemic kills 26 toddlers in China
• Philippines - Philippines, Peru lauded for child health progress
• South Korea - South Korea's bird flu outbreak spreads to Seoul
• Japan - Japan Steadily Becoming a Land Of Few Children
• Indonesia - Indonesia mulls Opec withdrawal
• Indonesia - Gold Miners Die in Landslide in Indonesia
• China - China shrugs off report of tropical nuclear sub base

Europe

• Serbia - Serbia's pro-Western president gets death threats
• Italy - Neo-Nazi killing puts spotlight on Italian militants
• France - Le Monde journalists in third strike

Middle East

• Iran - Iran says new talks with U.S. on Iraq meaningless
• Iraq - Ten Iraqi soldiers slain in checkpoint attack
• Israel - Israel dresses up for its 60th anniversary
• Iraq - Unicef warns of Iraqis 'at risk'
• Iraq - U.S. withdrawing third 'surge' brigade from Iraq

>>Myanmar - Cyclone Nargis slammed into the Irrawaddy delta on Saturday, leaving 4,000 dead, 3,000 missing, and hundreds of thousands without shelter. The nation's military junta made a rare appeal for international assistance. Relief agencies met at the UN's offices in Bangkok to coordinate their response. Myanmar is scheduled to hold a referendum on a new constitution next week, and the government's response to the cyclone could shape that vote.

>>Iraq - According to four Shi'ite militiamen captured in Iraq and questioned separately, Hezbollah has been training Iraqi militiamen at a base near Tehran. The U.S. has made such accusations in the past, and Iran has denied those accusations. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced Sunday that Iraq would launch its own investigation into the matter.

>>Somalia - Tens of thousands of people rioted today in Mogadishu over high food prices. The riot began with the refusal of traders to accept old 1,000-shilling notes, which they claim are worsening inflation.

>>Bolivia - Yesterday, Bolivia's richest region, Santa Cruz, voted overwhelmingly for autonomy in a referendum boycotted by supporters of Evo Morales. The vote, the first of four on greater autonomy for eastern provinces, is seen as a rejection of Morales's leftist reforms. Morales has said that, because of the boycott, the vote is invalid.

• Necessary but not necessarily sufficient
• PSA

Africa

• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe opposition mulls conditions for run-off
• Nigeria - Nigeria oil rebels say mulling Obama truce appeal
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe teachers threaten strike
• Sudan - Sudan to ask donors for $6 bln at Oslo meeting

Americas

• Chile - Chilean volcano erupts after 2,000 years of silence
• Brazil - Search continues for Britons missing in Brazil
• U.S. - US 'to send 7,000 extra troops to Afghanistan'
• Mexico - Mexico Cites Reprisals in Killings of 9 Officers
• Bolivia - Clashes Break Out as Bolivian Province Votes on More Autonomy
• U.S. - Outrage over plans to extract uranium ore from the Grand Canyon

Asia

• Malaysia - Malaysia plans women travel curb
• Indonesia - Asian nations to work together on rice
• China - Olympic Torch Begins Three-Month Relay Through China's Cities
• Taiwan - Awaiting Tourism Deal, Taiwan Is Primed for More Mainland Chinese Visitors
• China - Hundreds protest against China chemical plant
• East Timor - Indonesia extradites East Timor army rebels
• Indonesia - Indonesia detains militant over 2005 Bali bombings

Europe

• Latvia - Mass evacuation from Baltic ship
• France - France's Fillon sticks to reform path despite polls

Middle East

• Iraq - Iraq First Lady survives bombing
• Yemen - Bid to salvage Shia-Yemen truce
• Israel - Condoleeza Rice: peace in Middle East could be reached this year
• Israel - Rice maintains heat on Israel over settlements
• Iran - Iran to reject incentives that violate atomic rights
• Iran - Iran women activist gets suspended jail sentence
• Israel - Prodded by U.S., Olmert and Abbas meet privately

Japanese whisky beats Scotch?

>>China - Envoys from the Dalai Lama will travel to China on Saturday for informal talks. China has blamed the exiled Buddhist leader for fomenting the March 10 unrest in Tibet, which it claims was aimed at distracting attention from the Beijing Olympic Games in August. This is the seventh round of dialog between China and the Dalai Lama's envoys since 2002. While the envoys are there, they can visit Beijing airport's newly opened terminal 3 (the largest building in the world), a factory that will soon produce one in four bibles, and the world's longest sea bridge. If I were them, I'd avoid Mia Farrow though.

>>Iraq - Turkish bombers launched three hours of fierce raids on northern Iraq last night. No casualties were reported. The raids were targeting senior PKK members in Iraq's remote Qandil mountains.

>>Germany - A rally by 6,000 left-wing demonstrators to protest a rally by Germany's extreme right-wing National Democratic Party broke bad yesterday in Hamburg, as protesters set cars on fire and pelted police with bottles. Water cannons were used to quell the violence. May Day typically brings violent street protests to German cities, but these may have been the worst in years.

• Don't Throw the Biofuels out with the Bathwater
• The Meaning of "Realism"
• Louise Arbour Tells It Like It Is
• Mobile Phones for Social Change

Africa

• Sudan - Farrow Enters Hong Kong to Protest China-Sudan Ties
• South Africa - Nine killed at S Africa gold mine
• Zimbabwe - Zanu-PF split on next move after defeat
• Zimbabwe - Tsvangirai says he will return to Zimbabwe
• D.R. Congo - Elephants are slaughtered for chopsticks
• Nigeria - Oil falls as Nigeria strike ends
• Somalia - Somali rebels defiant after al Qaeda chief killed
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe opposition says disputes electoral figure

Americas

• Cuba - Cuba urges economic gain, work at May Day rally
• Barbados - Africans stranded in Caribbean
• Dominican Republic - Dominican Republic sees surge in drug smuggling

Asia

• Japan - Ochone! Japanese whisky is voted the best in world
• China - China moves to head off Carrefour protests
• China - Anti-French Boycott Falters in China
• China - Chinese factory to supply one in four Bibles
• Japan - In Hungry World, Japan's Farmers Are Stuck With High-Priced Rice
• N. Korea - N. Korea Agrees to Blow Up Tower at Its Nuclear Facility
• Japan - China's Hu heads to Japan seeking trust and respect
• S. Korea - South Korea investigates mass sex abuse at school
• China - China virus 'hits 3,000 children'

Europe

• Belarus - US expels Belarus diplomats
• Sweden - Swedes start to question refugee policy
• Germany - Protesters battle German police in May Day violence

Middle East

• Iran - Iran Protests to U.N. About Clinton Comments
• Iraq - Turkish jets bomb PKK camps in Northern Iraq: Anatolian
• Israel - Israel urged to end blockade of Gaza as talks begin in London
• Turkey - Turkey launches intensive air strikes in north Iraq
• Israel - Israeli police question PM Olmert
• Israel - African immigration to Israel
• Yemen - Blast at Yemen mosque kills 6, wounds 35

>>Somalia - Today U.S. strikes in Somalia killed Aden Hashi Ayro, al Qaeda's leader in Somalia who has led al Shabaab militants in attacks against government and Ethiopian troops. Violence led by Ayro had intensified in recent weeks with attacks in Mogadishu and quick raids in surrounding areas. Reports suggest that civilians were also killed in the attack.

>>Haiti - A top World Food Program official has said that Haiti faces a "major crisis" if international donors don't pony up for emergency aid. Earlier this month, six Haitians were killed in widespread protests about the rising cost of food. The WFP has appealed for $54 million to help dampen the increase. According to the WFP, two-thirds of Haitians live on less than $1 a day and almost half are undernourished. Meanwhile, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos are weighing a rice cartel.

>>Iraq - According to figures from Iraq's Health Ministry, April was the deadliest month since last August for Iraqi civilians, 898 of whom died last month. According to U.S. military reports, 49 U.S. soldiers died in April, the deadliest month since last September. The majority of the deaths occurred in Baghdad, where U.S. and Iraqi forces have been fighting an offensive against militants associated with Moqtada al Sadr.

• Worse than not authorizing a force at all
• What about Somalia...
• Baby Steps

Africa

• Somalia - Civilians gunned down in Somalia
• Burundi - Burundi must act on torture, rights group says
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe police accuse opposition
• Namibia - Namibia's treasure ship wreck
• Zimbabwe - Leaked poll results show that Mugabe lost, but will fight second round
• Zimbabwe - Harare to concede Tsvangirai victory
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe braced for presidential run-off
• Burundi - Burundi aims to rid itself of landmines
• Sudan - Intensified Fighting, Inadequate Aid Mar Return of Refugees to S. Sudan
• Egypt - 7 European and Canadian Tourists Killed in Egypt Bus Accident
• South Africa - SA elephants can be culled again
• Somalia - US air strikes succeed in killing top al Qaeda terrorist in Somalia
• Sudan - Militias attack Darfuris refusing census, kill 5

Americas

• Argentina - Argentina rattled by Falkland drilling plans
• Haiti - World Food Program sees 'major crisis' in Haiti
• U.S. - Fewer Latino Immigrants Sending Money Home

Asia

• China - 167 children rescued in China child labour crackdown
• China - Olympic 100 days countdown marred by US and UK criticism of China
• China - Beijing is to impose smoking ban
• N. Korea - House draws line on North Korea
• S. Korea - Emerging markets power S Korea exports
• Vietnam - 5 Asian Nations Are Weighing a Rice Cartel
• China - New anti-French rallies in China
• China - China opens record-breaking sea bridge

Europe

• Germany - Germany opens huge Nazi crimes archive to public
• Spain - Spain moves against illegal road races
• Belarus - Belarus Expels 10 U.S. Diplomats in Sanctions Dispute
• Italy - 5 French Mountaineers Die in Avalanche in Italy

Middle East

• Turkey - EU hails Turkey free speech move
• Israel - New plan for W Bank checkpoints
• Iran - Iran launches new crackdown on dress code offenders
• Israel - Palestinian factions agree to truce with Israel: MENA
• Turkey - Turkey says inflation will be double target
• Iraq - April Iraq's deadliest month since last August
• Iraq - Iraq Team to Discuss Militias With Iran
• Iran - 'Provocative' Clinton angers Iran
• Iran - Quake hits Iran, about 100 lightly injured: TV