ITALY: A luxury cruise ship ran aground and sank off the coast of Tuscany on Saturday, killing five and injuring several dozen.  (Washington Post)
PAKISTAN: Rising tensions between the executive branch and the military over a leaked memo fueled rumors of an imminent coup d’état. (Times of India)
BURMA/UNITED STATES: Secretary of State Clinton stated the U.S. would restore diplomatic relations with Burma following the government’s release of political prisoners. (South Asian News Agency)
EGYPT: Mohamed ElBaradei, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was seen as a legitimizing figure during the military-run transition, withdrew from the presidential election on Saturday, citing the military’s lack of commitment to the democratic process.  (Associated Press)
ISRAEL/UNITED STATES/IRAN: Israel and the United States postponed a large military exercise to avoid aggravating Iran and contributing to a tense regional atmosphere. (Los Angeles Times)
SYRIA: In a surprising turn, President Assad granted amnesty for all crimes committed during the country’s 10-month uprising.  (BBC)
ROMANIA: Violent protests against austerity measures continued throughout the country.  (San Francisco Chronicle)