International News for March 28 - April 10

This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from the Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report and CNN. Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.

United States
The Obama Administration has agreed to join regular talks with Iran and other nations about Iran's nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech that he would welcome new talks given that they shifted in an "honest" direction. This approach to foreign policy has differed from the approach taken by the Bush administration, which refused to meet with Ahmadinejad.

England
April 3 - The Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (G20), composed of the 19 nations with the most powerful economies and the European Union, held its annual summit in London - the first meeting after the economic crisis started. Leaders of the summit pledged to create a $1.1 trillion package to stimulate the world's economy. The nations will combine assets and allow the International Monetary Fund to allocate them with the aim of expanding credit. This decision was reached because nations agreed that a stimulus is needed, but could not agree on the exact method of a stimulus.

Italy
April 5 - An earthquake measuing 6.3 on the Richter scale hit central Italy, killing at least 260 people as of April 8. Thousands of buildings including cultural relics have been destroyed, while many others are in danger of collapsing. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi turned down offers for immediate humanitarian aid during a press conference on April 8.

North Korea
April 7 - North Korea released footage of a missile launch on April 5. The country alleges that a satellite was put into orbit. However, some nations around the world are concerned that North Korea was actually testing its capability to launch long range missiles that could potentially carry nuclear weapons. In response, the United Nations Security Council has moved to impose sanctions on North Korea with the support of several countries, including the United States. Russia and China opposed the motion, saying that the sanctions would be counterproductive. Tensions have increased in the area especially after two American journalists were caught photographing North Korea from China and were detained by North Korean border guards on March 17.