News April 2

Hundreds feared Dead off the Coast of Libya
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/31/libya.boat.sinks/index.html?eref=rss_world
Stormy seas caused catastrophes off the coast of Libya for thousands of African immigrants fleeing to Europe. High winds and heavy seas capsized several boats on Tuesday. More than 200 are confirmed dead with many more in question. 373 have been rescued. This migration of peoples came during the main smuggling season, and was caused by desperate conditions in the peoples home countries. "This tragic incident illustrates, once again, the dangers faced by people caught in mixed irregular movements of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean and elsewhere which every year cost thousands of lives," the U.N. agency said.

New CEO: More GM plant closings possible
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102563224&ft=1&f=1001
GM is considering the closing of more plants in order to meet the tougher requirements for government aid. They also need to cut more labor costs and get more concessions from bondholders. The company has 60 days to do all this. Their former CEO Rick Wagoner also just resigned, and Fritz Henderson stepped in as new CEO. The company is trying to avoid bankruptcy by making these radical changes.

Iran Signals Willingness to Join U.S. In Fight Against Afghan Drug Trade
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/31/iranian-diplomats-meet-afghan-conference/
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended an international conference on Afghanistan Tuesday. This conference allowed U.S. and Iranian diplomats to take baby steps towards thawing tensions between their countries. Iran's Mehdi Akhundzadeh also met with Richard Holbrooke. This meeting “did not focus on anything substantive. It was cordial, it was unplanned and they agreed to stay in touch," Clinton told reporters. The conference was day long and though it helped the relations between Iran and the U.S. was not much improved.

Italy Pushes For Steps to End Illegal Immigration Problem
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-31-voa47.cfm
Italy’s Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni is pushing to end the illegal immigration problem. And Italy backs him. After the tragedy Tuesday with the immigrants off the coast of Libya, Italians are pushing even harder for this traffic to end. Italy is now taking extra measures to keep these immigrants out.