The latest news on Tax Day, Payday Lending, Domestic Terrorism, Foreclosures, Renewable Energy, N.Y. Archbishop, Canada PR, Obama to Mexico, U.S.-Israel, India Election, Iran, Sri Lanka, Iraq, North Korea, and Select Op-eds.

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Tax day. Americans' Tax Burden Near Historic Low "As thousands of anti-tax protesters rallied across the nation yesterday and the president promised tax cuts for most, new data showed that the federal income tax burden is already hovering near its lowest level in three decades for all but the wealthiest Americans." Republicans stage 'tea party' protests against Obama "Republicans sought to ignite a popular revolt against President Obama on Wednesday by staging 'tea party' protests across the nation to demand lower taxes and less government spending -- but the tactic carried risk for the party." This 'tea party' boiling mad "On the same spot where then-candidate Barack Obama delivered closing arguments for the presidency last November, thousands of Ohioans gathered yesterday evening to issue a rebuttal."

Payday lending. Lenders Thwart Ohio Law Intended to Limit High Interest on Payday Loans "Despite a law capping the annual interest rate for short-term loans at 28 percent, some lenders are using different laws to charge up to 680 percent interest."

Domestic terrorism. U.S. terrorism report warns of resurgence of right-wing groups "The economic downturn and the election of the nation's first black president are contributing to a resurgence among right-wing extremist groups that had been on the wane since the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment distributed to state and local authorities last week."

Foreclosures. Foreclosures take a big jump "The number of homeowners facing foreclosure surged in March as lenders lifted temporary moratoriums and resumed legal actions against delinquent mortgage payers."

Renewable energy. Renewable Energy's Environmental Paradox "The SunZia transmission line that would link sun and wind power from central New Mexico with cities in Arizona is just the sort of energy project an environmentalist could love -- or hate."

N.Y. Archbishop. With Pomp and a New Vigor, Dolan Arrives as Archbishop "Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, a congenial cleric with a taste for baseball and fast food and a firm commitment to Roman Catholic orthodoxy, took his place Wednesday in the nation's most influential Catholic pulpit, as the 10th archbishop of New York." NYC's new archbishop sounds strong voice on abortion and gay marriage "Archbishop Timothy Dolan was installed Wednesday as the leader of Roman Catholic New York, taking the most prominent American pulpit in the church during an elaborate ceremony that drew thousands of parishioners and civic leaders to St. Patrick's Cathedral."

Canada PR. Former White House spokesmen to pitch Canada "Michael McCurry, a former press secretary for Bill Clinton, and Ari Fleischer, one of George W. Bush's press secretaries, will work to secure Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper interviews with U.S. media outlets to discuss Canada, its economic system and its relationship with the United States."

Obama to Mexico. Mexico, awaiting Obama, hopes for change "With a veritable war swirling through the nation and seeping from its borders, Mexico has arisen as a foreign policy emergency for President Obama, and a test of his ability to bring fundamental change to one of Washington's most important relationships." Obama to back Mexico's drugs war "Mr. Obama is to hold wide-ranging talks with his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, on topics including the economy and cross-border smuggling."

U.S.-Israel. U.S. envoy begins talks in Israel "U.S. President Barack Obama's envoy to the Middle East is holding his first talks in Israel with the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu." Mitchell meets FM, reiterates commitment to two states "U.S. envoy George Mitchell on Thursday reiterated that the U.S. remained committed to Palestinian statehood, countering comments by Israeli ministers to the effect that the new government was not bound to a two-state solution."

India election. Millions of Indians go to polls "Voting has ended in the first round of India's month-long general elections. Millions voted in 124 constituencies around the country. Turnout was reported to be steady and there were a number of attacks by Maoist rebels." World's biggest democracy heads to the polls "In this remarkable election, in which the Indian electorate of around 714 million vote, there are more than 1,000 parties to choose from." India's Heartland Expected to Play Decisive Role in Elections "When Indian voters in 124 constituencies go to the polls Thursday, they will be kicking off the world's largest democratic exercise. The election will be held in five phases, ending May 13, with up to 714 million voters casting ballots at 828,000 polling stations."

Iran. Iran's Ahmadinejad offers new start with West "Iran's hard-line president said Wednesday that he would soon unveil proposals to resolve the international impasse over his country's nuclear program, and he offered a fresh start with the West, an announcement that comes as he struggles to shore up domestic support ahead of the presidential election in June." Gates warns against Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities "Amid increasing suggestions that Israel might attack Iran's nuclear facilities, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned this week that such a strike would have dangerous consequences, and asserted that Tehran's acquisition of a bomb can be prevented only if "Iranians themselves decide it's too costly."

Sri Lanka. Fighting resumes in Sri Lanka "Sri Lankan troops resumed their all-out offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island today following a brief holiday ceasefire."

Iraq. Iraq Provinces Try to Overcome Political Disarray "Two and a half months after the elections, the 14 provinces that voted have only now begun forming provincial councils, the equivalent of state legislatures in the United States." Iraqi refugees still slow to return "The global economic downturn and Iraqi government incentives have persuaded hundreds of refugees to return home, but they are still only a trickle among nearly 2 million Iraqis who fled abroad in the wake of the 2003 U.S. invasion."

North Korea. U.N. inspectors leave North Korea's main nuclear facility "U.N. inspectors ordered out by North Korea have left the country's main nuclear facility after removing seals and surveillance cameras there, a diplomat said." U.S. Looks to Balance Response to N. Korea "North Korea's rapid moves to eject international inspectors and restart its nuclear facility have left the Obama administration scrambling to demonstrate resolve while leaving the door open to talks that will defuse the latest crisis on the Korean Peninsula."

Opinion. The Obama Doctrine (E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post) "The Obama Doctrine is a form of realism unafraid to deploy American power but mindful that its use must be tempered by practical limits and a dose of self-awareness. Those are the limits that defenders of the recent past have trouble accepting."