Europe

Italy: right-wing parties to merge

Italy’s ruling right-wing parties—the Forza Italia and National Alliance, a direct descendant of Mussolini’s Fascist party—announced they will merge into a new “People of Freedom” bloc.

Europe

Belgian police arrest anti-NATO protesters

Some 130 were arrested at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels and Nieuw Milligen air base in the Netherlands in protests prompted by the upcoming 60th anniversary of the alliance’s founding.

Inner Asia

New Tibetan uprising in Qinghai province

In the first major Tibetan protests since last year’s uprising, hundreds of residents in Ragya, Qinghai province, attacked a police station, leading to the arrest of nearly 100 monks.

Mexico

Mexico claims blows against Gulf, Sinaloa cartels

In a boost for President Felipe Calderón’s military strategy against Mexico’s warring narco gangs, soldiers arrested two top cartel leaders—including one accused of attacking a US consulate.