By: State Farm

In case you didn’t know, I’m getting married in a week and a half! (SQUEE!!) Until after my wedding in Malta, I will not be posting like a regularly do. That, and my microphone broke in Houston last week (donations welcome). I miss you guys but just too much on my plate. If I have a minute I will post if I can but certainly, in no regular capacity. And if you want to stalk my wedding, you can do that here.

Tripoli By: Bilal Kamoon

1) Car bomb outside French Embassy in Tripoli, Libya. 2 guards were injured and extensive damage to nearby structures.

2) Two men in Canada, believed to be acting on orders from Al-Qaeda, tried to derail a passenger train in a terrorist plot. Both men are in custody and Iran denies any link with the two men. One is thought to be from Tunisia and the other from United Arab Emirates.

3) The country of Bhutan held its second parliamentary election today. 67 candidates ran for 20 elected seat in the upper house. 5 seats are for royal appointment. The monarch took a voluntarily smaller role after elections in 2008. The lower house voting will take place in June with 5 parties vying for seat. Results of the election are expected tomorrow.

Boston bombing suspect is in the hospital but is not being charged an an enemy combatant, says the White House. However Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is officially facing federal charges and has made an initial court room appearance form his hospital bed. The 2 brother’s father says he will fly to the US to seek “justice” and the boys were set up. Russia is also claiming they shared information on at least one of the Boston bombing suspects, where they had him flagged as a possible terrorist.

187 killed and 2000 homes destroyed in Nigeria says the Red Cross while the government tries to push out the Al-Qaeda linked group Boko Haram from the country.

Serbia has approved a deal to normalize relations with Kosovo, thousands of Serbs have turned out to protest the agreement.

EU has dropped Sanctions on Burma to help trade and democrozation / Also lifted embargo on oil trade with Syria to provide “economic” support to the rebels

Obama will visit city of West, TX after fertilizer explosion

At least 100 dead in Syria in past week from army attacks

Azerbaijan’s foreign minister Elmar Mamadyarov makes first trip to Israel, Israel praised their role in “countering” Iran’s influence in the Middle East

Pakistan’s Supreme Court does not charge former military ruler Pervez Musharraf with treason, they will allow the winner of the next election to decide his fate, he is currently under house arrest and last week literally ran away from a courtroom that refused to grant him bail over a decision to dismiss judges 2007 / Pakistan helicopter crash leads to captures – 7 Turk, 2 Russians and Afghan, Taliban responsbile

Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera names new Education minister Carolina Schmidt, after the last one was impeached last week for failure to monitor budgets

Georgia’s Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili met with Jean-Claude Mignon, President of PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) on integration into Europe

Russian activist Konstantin Levedev begins trial for organizing mass disorder which he pled guilty, the prosecutors are asking for a sentence of 5 years

After the rebel takeover of Central African Republic, rebels are still in the streets demanding compensation for their part, speculation is that new leader Michel Djotodia cannot control them

6 dead in shooting in Russia, a man opened fire while attempting to rob a gun store

Local elections this weekend in the Ivory coast were boycotted by the opposition

Czech Republic had to make a statement to let Twitter know it wasn’t Chechnya

United Arab Emirates now has fines for skimpy swimsuits

By: The Bay Area’s News Station

1) Boston bombing suspect is in the hospital but is not being charged an an enemy combatant, says the White House. However Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is officially facing federal charges and has made an initial court room appearance form his hospital bed. Russia is also claiming they shared information on at least one of the Boston bombing suspects, where they had him flagged as a possible terrorist.

2) 187 killed and 2000 homes destroyed in Nigeria says the Red Cross while the government tries to push out the Al-Qaeda linked group Boko Haram from the country.

3) Serbia has approved a deal to normalize relations with Kosovo, thousands of Serbs have turned out to protest the agreement.

Serbia and Kosovo have restarted talks in Brussels.

Oppsotion leader and blogger, Alekei Navalny began trial today for embezzlement (a weak case against him). The trial was almost immediately adjourned however, as the defense asked for more time to hone their case. Navalny said he would win the case y proving his innocence, even if the court found him guilt of crimes he denies.

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral happened early this morning (US time). While the UK did make it an official state event, the procession and ceremony will be seen as one of the most elaborate services in Great Britain since the death of Winston Churchill.

Rocket attacks kill at least 12 in central Syria

Militants in th Sinai Pennisula fired on Israel today, in the resort city of Eilat

New Zealand passes gay marriage bill

German courts are reviewing a case involving a NATO airstrike in Afghanistan 2009 brought by families

Secular political parties in Pakistan are calling on the government to do more to protect them after multiple attack as elections get closer, the parties rightly point out that this violence from the Taliban not only threaten the lives of their participants but impacts their potential political power / After angry comments from President Karzai of Afghanistan, Pakistan has offered to comply with requests to remove the blockade along the disputed border between the countries

The EU stated that Hungary is in non-compliance with requests to reinstate judges it forced to retire

A day after protests from the opposition in Venezuela, Maduro supporters took over the National Electoral Council building where backers of Capriles planned to hold an event, the MAduro group damaged the building, burnt flags and posters of the opposition leader and threw homemade bombs; State police arrived to protect buildings but made no attempt to arrest anyone at the scene; 7 dead

Bombing in Sudan by the government of rebel-backed South Kordofan providence is leading to starvation for the civilians living there, a report from Amnesty International says

700 Brazilian Indians occupied the lower house on congress today in protest of an amendement that would allow congress to decide demarcation of their land instead of the executive branch (borders)

Morocco canceled planned annual military exercises with the US today after the White House backed UN measures to monitor human rights abuses in the disputed territory of Western Sahara

Egypt’s Muslim Brother Hood condemned the bombing in Boston, calling it “sinful”

A man was arrested in Mississippi today suspected of sending 2 poisoned letters, one to President Obama and the other to Republican senator, Roger Wicker; the suspect is apparently elvis impersonator

In Belarus, a TV technician has been arrested after playing a banned music video and a porn segment on national TV; the music video by Lyapis Trubetskoy is banned because of their music that includes criticisms of Belarus President Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladamir Putin

By: ctot_not_def

1) Serbia and Kosovo have restarted talks in Brussels.

2) Oppsotion leader and blogger, Alekei Navalny began trial today for embezzlement (a weak case against him). The trial was almost immediately adjourned however, as the defense asked for more time to hone their case. Navalny said he would win the case y proving his innocence, even if the court found him guilt of crimes he denies.

3) Margaret Thatcher’s funeral happened early this morning (US time). While the UK did make it an official state event, the procession and ceremony will be seen as one of the most elaborate services in Great Britain since the death of Winston Churchill.

By: Ivan Mlinaric

1) Major earthquakes in Iran today. Death toll currently at 40.

2) The high court at the UN has officially set a border between Burkina Faso and Niger in a disputed area.

3) Shock from the Boston Bombing is still on-going. Cities in the US and internationally are boosting their security, notably London for their upcoming marathon. Since the bombing, Russia has offered to help with a probe, Pakistan’s Taliban has denied any responsibility and a Jordan extremist has come out in high praise saying he was “happy to see the horror in America.”

Boston Marathon bombed, 2 dead, 120 injured; almost all major cities in the US are stepping up security especially for large social events

Presidential elections took place in Venezuela this past weekend. Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Maduro was expected to win. And he did, but by less than a 2% margin, winning with 50.7% of the vote. The opposition is calling for a recount. But this goes to show without Chavez, Venezuela could be gearing up for a political revolution, and the elections show what a weak hand Maduro has on the government. Certified today amid protests

Last week, after the US released its Magnistky list, targeting human rights abusers in Russia, Russia has counter, releasing a list of 18 Americans it claims have performed similar abuses in a tit-for-tat style political game that Russia continues to prolong. / Russia announces “probe” into Magnistky’s death has ended/ Anti-Putin candidate Alexi Navalny says he is ready for his trial, set to begin on Wednesday

Chad will pull all its 2000 troops out of Mali. They have been aiding the French Army there to remove the Al-Qaeda linked rebels tormenting the Northern part of the country. But after a suicide attack killed 3 soldiers this weekend, and after losing 23 during attacks in February, Chad has decided to withdraw.

Uzbekistan president Islam Karimov to meet Putin /American national security advisor Thomas Donilon also in Moscow to prepare for a meeting between Obama and Putin over missile defense

Stockholm’s International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that global arms trading has dropped in the US and EU but increased in other regions, 2012 0.5% drop overall compared to 2011, US still leads

Ukrainian special envoy to OSCE (Org for security and co) visits Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan today

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appoints Rancis Korkpor as chief justice, who was acting interim

Iraq’s military and police have begun voting in provincial elections, 1 week before public, only 12 out of the 18 provinces will participate due to concerns of violence; deadly bombings for 2 days

UN Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers 18^th session in Geneva kicks off today / Rwanda has pushed the UN Security Council from suggestion the ICC be involve in solving conflicts in Africa (human rights abuses) probably because of their role in Democratic Republic of Congo

North Korea was calmer today while the celebrated Kimg Il Sung’s birthday / Sec. of State Kerry was in Asia this past weekend, he pressed China about dealing with North Korea

2 election campaign workers are dead in Pakistan, shot by militants, elections are May 11, Deadly blast in Peshawar also went off on Saturday killing 9 / bus bombing kills 8

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of violating international norms by installing a border gate along disputed territory and President Karzai has order it to be removed / Commandos killed 22 insurgents during an operation to capture a Taliban commander, Jamal Faroqi, who died in the raid

2 hours of bombing took place on Somalia’s supreme court Sunday, 6 suicide bombs and 2 car bombs; al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, al Qaeda is believe to be involved, death toll 35

Airstrike in Syria leaves 25 dead/ 4 Italian journalists who have been held in Syria freed today / Muslim brotherhood leader, Mohammad Raid al-Shaqfa says he is not trying to take over in Syria, he claims he wants to “unite” Syrian opposition

UK says they are concerned over signs of chemical weapons in Syria / Rehearsal of Thatcher’s funeral started this morning, it will take place Wednesday / Foreign Commonwealth Office released their #HumanRights & #Democracy Report released, comprehensive on UK efforts to promote “freedom”

Nigeria’s immigrants are being targets by government raids during increasing fears of Islamic extremism

Libyan terrorist group, Ansar al-Shariah, believe to be responsible for the attack on Benghazi, denies the leader of the organization has been shot

Togo government closed all public and private primary and secondary schools in Lome, they will be holding talks with teachers unions after major protests

Iran begins registration for municipal elections, elections will be June 11

Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad resigns

Sri Lanka news press stormed by armed men, claims it was the government, and government says paper did it himself

Former Egypt President Mubarak retrial adjourned, Judge Walked out

Dutch Republicans have begun petition that the new King, Willem-Alexander (taking over in May when his mother Beatrix abdicates) should get a lower salary, if the petition received 40,000 names Parliament must debate it

By: Cristóbal Alvarado Minic

1) Presidential elections took place in Venezuela this past weekend. Chavez’s hand-picked successor, Maduro was expected to win. And he did, but by less than a 2% margin, winning with 50.7% of the vote. The opposition is calling for a recount. But this goes to show without Chavez, Venezuela could be gearing up for a political revolution, and the elections show what a weak hand Maduro has on the government.

2) Last week, after the US released its Magnistky list, targeting human rights abusers in Russia, Russia has counter, releasing a list of 18 Americans it claims have performed similar abuses in a tit-for-tat style political game that Russia continues to prolong.

3) Chad will pull all its 2000 troops out of Mali. They have been aiding the French Army there to remove the Al-Qaeda linked rebels tormenting the Northern part of the country. But after a suicide attack killed 3 soldiers this weekend, and after losing 23 during attacks in February, Chad has decided to withdraw.

The Pentagon has released a report saying the North Korea could potentially launch a nuclear missile. The weapon however would be unreliable. The White House says they will take all measures needed to protect US citizens but did not confirm the report directly /Sec of State John Kerry is in South Korea today while this goes on/ Russia says they would welcome talks with North Korea in Geneva with South Korea, China, Japan and the US

The US releases its “Maginitsky List” which includes all of the people connected to human rights abuses connect to the death Sergei Magnitsky who will face financial sanctions and visa bans. Most of the people on the list, of which they are 18, are Russian. Magnitsky died in 2009, but his trial for fraud restated just this week. / Council of Europe has condemned Russia’s recent raids of NGOs and recent laws restricting their actvity

In the UK, “Ding, Dong, The Witch is Dead” has steadily climbed the charts since the death of Margaret Thatcher and the BBC has been concerned about how to handle it. They decided today to play only part of the song as a compromise during the radio countdown show.

$20 billion taken by Tunisian ex-dictator, Ben Ali has still not been recovered. Ali was ousted in 2011. The country’s economy is struggling but despite efforts this money will probably not be returned / a mob attacked a Tunisian police station leave 1 dead and 2 wounded, the mob was believed to be part of an ultraconservative muslim group seeking to free one of their members

Iranian group Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) previously listed as a terrorist group by the US has been allowed to open an office in DC, the group was blacklisted in 1997 and reinstated in 2003, the group want to see further Western efforts towards democratic change in Iran / The US has blacklisted an Iranian businessman, a Malaysian bank and a number of corporations for attempting to evade economic sanction against Iran, the businessman Babak Morteza Zanjani operated the network moving billions to the Iranian Revolution Guard Corps

Native American tribal masks were sold at auction in Paris despite protests of the Hopi tribe and Us Government who claim the masks have special status as representation of dead ancestors and are not just art, the French government rejected these claims and went on with the auction

Putin has announced that Russia plans to spend $52 billion expanding its space program on Cosmonaut’s Day (today)

14 Afghans escaped into Indonesia seeking asylum, they were rescued after their boat bound for Australia capsized, 58 people are missing still, Taliban attacked an army outpost killing 13 soldiers

Soccer hooligans in Casablanca rampaged through the city, damaging public property, 200 people have been arrested, the team from Rabat paraded before the match began between the rival

A number of bombings took place in Iraq today killing 11 and leaving 40 wounded, both Shi’ite and Sunni mosques were targeted

Suicide bombing by Islamic militants has killed 3 Chad soldiers and injured civilians at a market in Mali

Us General Philip Breedlove who will be the next NATO supreme allied commander stressed the need for cooperation with Europe, but also Russia in a hearing before US Senate Armed Services Committee

After a media leak both President Morsi and a top general in Egypt denounced rumors of the army detaining and possibly killing protesters after the 2011 uprising

International Committee of the Red Cross will no longer visit prisons in Uzbekistan stating that they have no worthwhile dialogue with authorities in the country and therefore cannot carry out their mission

Syrian troops and rebels have clashed in Homs near the Lebanon border today / President Obama said Syria is at a critical juncture perhaps foreshadowing reasons for intervention

Burma sentenced 3 Muslims to 14 year prison for their role in the heavy religious violence last month

Elections are in Venezuela this weekend, Chavez’s chose successor and acting interim president Nicolas Maduro is expecting to win, but this week his lead has been worn down by the opposition

Boko Haram in Nigeria has refused to participate in an peace deal to with the government to stop the group’s violence

In Germany, a train passenger Lucas Baier was caught with a fake drivers license claiming he was Putin. The license was confiscated and sent to Latvia where it was supposedly issued. To which they stated “No drivers license was ever issued to the Russian President”.   Baier claimed he has been teased for his physicoal similarity to Putin and bought the license as a joke.