TOP STORY: The Sri Lankan military has broken through Tamil Tiger defenses as the rebel group continues to make its last stand in a small strip of beach on the island's northern coast. Aid workers says that both sides are making it impossible to reach civilians still trapped in the area.
The Sri Lankan government accuses the Tigers of keeping civilians trapped as "human shields" but Human Rights Watch accuses both sides of using those trapped as "cannon fodder." Despite reports to the country, the government continues to deny that it is using artillery. The EU's human rights chief decried both sides for creating an "absolutely awful situation."
Shells hit the area's only hospital today. It was the third time the hospital has been hit and only the second time in two days. At least 50 people were killed in this latest attack, according to a local doctor.
Meeting in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Minister David Miliband issued a joint statement urging both sides to "end hostilities immediately."
OVERLOOKED: The United States will once again use an airbase in Uzbekistan to supply troops in Afghanistan, though the base will be operated by South Korea. U.S. forces were evicted from the country by leader Islam Karimov in 2005 because of U.S. protests over the Andijan massacre. The U.S. military has been looking for new supply routes in Central Asia since the closure of Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan.
Asia
- As India's five-week election comes to a close, polling narrowly favors the ruling Congress party.
- On the fifth day of its military offensive in Swat Valley, the Pakistani military targeted Taliban bases in remote areas.
- Envoy Stephen Bosworth said the U.S. is open to the possibility of limited direct talks with North Korea.
Middle East
- Speaking in Bethlehem, Pope Benedict called for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
- Tensions on the rise in northern Iraq with recent demonstrations in Mosul and a suicide bombing in Kirkuk.
- Israel is putting off a decision on withdrawing from a disputed town on the Lebanese border until after Lebanon's election.
Americas
- The United States has joined the controversial U.N. Human Rights Council.
- A video left by a slain Guatemalan lawyer, blaming his death on the country's president, has plunged the country into a political crisis.
- Peru has given asylum to two Bolivian officials accused of genocide, straining relations between the two neighbors.
Africa
- Fighting in Somalia between government forces and al-Shabab rebels continues to worsen.
- New U.S. coast guard rules will require U.S. ships to post guards when sailing off the coast of Somalia.
- Massive anti-government rallies are taking place in Nigeria, with the country's security forces on high alert.
Europe
- The EU has fined Intel a record $1.45 billion for antitrust violations.
- France's government has passed a controversial new Web piracy law that will disconnect users caught repeatedly downloading illegal content.
- Eurozone industrial production fell 20 percent year-on-year in March.
PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
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