• yeah … Yesterday, Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh cut a deal ensuring that he would leave office in the next 30 days — in exchange for his immunity from prosecution. The plan, by the way, was supported by the Obama administration.
• … but However, this isn’t good enough for protesters, who plan to escalate their opposition. They’re reportedly upset that the opposition brokered the deal for what they feel may be political gain that ignores the protesters’ demands. source

• One of the deacons returned to his home last Friday afternoon and the police came to ask him if he planned to attend the Easter Sunday service. He said yes, so the police said from this moment, you cannot leave this house. I spoke to him an hour ago, and he was still not able to leave the house.
• Shouwang Church member Kathy Lu • Describing what happened to one of the deacons before an attempted Easter service — authorities put him under house arrest. He and hundreds of others, in fact. But what’s absolutely bizarre is that while authorities arrested much of Shouwang Church’s congregation, the nearby Haidian Christian Church — which is state-sanctioned — was able to hold a service without any problems. The split emphasizes some big differences between the two churches — since Shouwang doesn’t tow to China’s regulations, it is “undergound” — a type of church that as many as 50 million Chinese people may take part in. We realize China has an atheist government and everything, but limiting this sort of free expression arbitrarily seems silly. source

• 20+ people arrested in Beijing for holding an Easter service source

• » The church expected this to happen: With China’s officially atheist government completely at odds with any sort of religious celebration, Shouwang Church’s senior pastor, Jin Tianming, appeared ready for retribution for his church’s decision to hold an outdoor mass on Easter. “This is our uncompromising position and a matter of faith,” he said. “If they arrest our followers, this is the price we are willing to pay.” While you guys think of cute bunnies and Easter Eggs, keep in mind that people are still fighting for their right to celebrate this holiday. (UPDATE: We just threw up another post with more context.)

• In the current conflict in Libya, may diplomacy and dialogue replace arms, and may those who suffer as a result of the conflict be given access to humanitarian aid.
• Pope Benedict XVI • Making a plea for peace in Libya, which has suffered greatly from heavy fighting in recent weeks. He expressed hope that “every political choice is inspired by respect for the human person.” He also made a plea for countries to consider the plight of the refugee, suggesting that “people of good will open their hearts to welcome them.” On this Easter Sunday, Mr. Crazy Hat nailed it, in our opinion. source

• 25+ people killed during the fighting over the Libyan town of Misurata — a key stronghold in the civil war
• 71+ others were critically injured, despite claims that Gaddafi’s army has laid down its arms temporarily source

• » Who has the upper-hand? It appears that the rebels do, though it’s murky. Yesterday, some rebel forces in the city claimed it was “free” of pro-Gaddafi forces, but others claimed it might be a “trick” by to lull rebels into a false sense of security. Gaddafi forces claim to have laid down their arms to allow local tribes to settle their differences peacefully, but plan to arm the tribes if an agreement isn’t reached. Despite these claims, the violence rages on in dramatic fashion. And of course, there’s the wildcard — drone strikes.

• President Saleh welcomed the proposal and has accepted it. Though President Saleh has constitutional rights to stay in power, he is willing to leave office willingly.
• Yemeni presidential aide Tariq Shami • Revealing that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh accepted the deal we wrote about earlier in the week to ensure his departure. He’ll be out in 30 days. Saleh has been in office for 32 years, and will leave with immunity from prosecution. So, another one down, guys. Who’s next? source

• Japan has some pretty hefty rebuilding plans: With a month and a half of distance between the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged a large chunk of the country, and a need to ensure a next step for the recovering nation, Japan’s government, led by Prime Minister Naoto Kan (left), has a large-scale recovery plan in its sights, which includes the building of 100,000 temporary homes. A huge catalyst for the move, according to the prime minister, was a recent meeting he had with people stuck in shelters. “I felt with renewed determination that we must do our best to get them back as soon as possible,” he said. More details:

The cost & the overall need

• $48.5 billion in emergency spending earmarked

• 14k people confirmed dead after last month’s quake
• 13k people missing in the quake or tsunami
• 130k people still live in evacuation centers source

• » Japan has recovered before: Back in 1923, Japan suffered a far more substancial economic and physical disaster from Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed as many as 140,000 and caused the country to lose 40 percent of GDP. The current earthquake, likely the most expensive in the country’s history at $300 billion, is a mere fraction of that in comparative scale.

The situation around Fukushima

• 12 miles the radius of the evacuation zone around Fukushima — residents could face fines or jail if they enter
• 19 miles the radius around Fukushima where the government recommends residents leave source

• » Letting residents come back: While authorities let some residents return to their homes for a brief period yesterday (a mere two-hour window, by the way), they may not have another chance. MSNBC has photos from the pretty freaky scene. “I’m sorry there’s nothing I can do for you,” said dairy farmer Hiroaki Hiruta, who had to leave his 130 cows to fend for themselves within the radiation zone. He had visited to feed them every single day, but no longer can due to the newly-enforced regulations. It’s unclear if there will be a next time for Hiruta to visit his cows, or if that “next time” will come anytime in the near-future. (photo by DVIDS on Flickr)

• There was no provocation. There were forces being deployed since last night. When people went out in Homs, the security forces stepped out . . . and immediately started shooting.
• INSAN director Wissam Tarif • Describing the scene in the central Syrian city of Homs, where protesters were met by security forces who opened fire. At least seven were killed throughout Syria. In other towns, like Damascus, police took cell phones away from protesters, so the couldn’t shoot video or take photos of the protests. Fridays have been the traditional day of protest in Syria; they also double as a day of prayer. source

• What’s it look like inside Fukushima Daiichi? Well, at least some of it looks like this, This footage from TEPCO shows a couple of robots that are working in one reactor — even though it’s not especially illuminating from an information standpoint, it’s yet very haunting footage. source