Great Britain - Good News: The British government announced its implementation of a more rigorous program for national integration by introducing "probationary citizenship" as a required status for immigrants. This new policy applies only to immigrants coming from outside the European Union, requiring them to prove their assimilation by tests of language proficiency, volunteer work, and references from current citizens.
Meanwhile, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the "spiritual leader" of the Muslim Brotherhood and a revered scholar within the greater Muslim world, has been refused a visa to enter the U.K. after a campaign by David Cameron. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said that it deplored the decision and accused the government of caving in to " unreasonable demands spearheaded by the Tory leader."

Cuba - Good and Bad News: Fidel Castro , Cuba 's dictator for nearly five decades, has resigned from office. His departure leaves a power vacuum, with the U.S. and Venezuela each vying for dominant influence. Bill Emmott, the former editor of the Economist, argues that the United States faces an uphill battle against Chavez in trying to influence the future direction of the Cuban regime.

Pakistan - Good and Bad News: In Pakistan 's parliamentary elections, Pervez Musharraf's party lost its hold on power. The opposition party of the late Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP ), and Nawaz Sharif (the man Musharraf toppled in 1999) of the Pakistan Muslim League received the majority of votes. The PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League are expected to form a coalition government, leaving Musharraf at his weakest point in nearly a decade. While this seems to suggestthat popular sentiment in Pakistan may be shifting toward a more secular establishment, the unstable government leaves room for an Al Qaedathat continuesto thrive in the tribal areas on the Afghan-Pakistan border .

Iran - Bad News: Diplomats assert that Iran is beginning to processuranium gas within IR-2 enrichment centrifuges, a step up from their outmoded P1 centrifuges acquired illegally in the 1980s. At present the newcentrifuges are most likely undergoing the early testing procedures as they process small amounts of gasified uranium.