The Short List - April 12, 2011

• The budget compromise that averted a government shutdown last week would cut $38 billion from the federal budget, with over half of those cuts coming to education, labor, and health programs.  All parties to the budget showdown share blame, according to a new CNN poll, but President Obama came out slightly ahead.  Meanwhile, DC Mayor Vincent Gray and several council members were arrested outside the Capitol yesterday, protesting congressional meddling in the affairs of the District.


• No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Minsk subway system yesterday that killed 12.


• Japan has raised the nuclear crisis in that country to the highest possible level, seven, a level not seen since Chernobyl.  The change in the level does not reflect a change in the immediate situation, but rather a better understanding of the contamination over the past month.


• In other bad nuclear news, Iran has announced a major breakthrough in their nuclear program.  The country claims to be one month away from a commercial nuclear reactor.


• Following the arrest of Gbagbo yesterday, President Ouattara has asked all fighters to lay down their arms.  Ouattara has moved quickly to declare that Gbagbo, his wife, and his entourage will be tried in the Ivory Coast, not at the International Criminal Court.  Additionally, Ouattara indicated he will set up a truth and reconciliation panel to address the violence.


• The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a lower judge ruling that blocks implementation of the most controversial parts of Arizona's immigration law.  Specifically, the ruling blocks the requirement that immigration status be confirmed if someone is stopped by police.


• Student loan debt outpaced(NYT) credit card debt for the first time last year.


• Once more with feeling, the birther claim is ludicrous and those that peddle to it, Mr. Trump and Mrs. Palin, are facilitating a lie.