Catalonia’s president announced today his decision to go ahead with an independence referendum, after seeing little progress in addressing economic and political grievances with Madrid, reports the Financial Times.

“We will never give up on the option of reaching an agreement with Madird. But at the moment such an agreement is very unlikely. They are saying no to almost everything (we have asked for)”, said President Artur Mas.

The US assistant secretary of state for east-Asia warned that the US was prepared to take action against Burma should they continue to block international NGO’s from working in the Rhakine state, reports The Guardian today.

Speaking after a two week visit to Burma, Daniel Russell said,

“The fact that we have a stake in the success of the government and the reform efforts doesn’t mean that we pull punches. The crux of my message was: the whole world is watching.”

The US will continue to engage with India on key issues, whichever party comes to power, a senior US official told the Press Trust of India.

The US government has issued instructions across all departments to identify key areas that they would like to take up with the new Indian government after the elections, the official said, adding that relations with India “transcend” personalities and political parties.

"Let's see what the Indian voters decide... Once the Indian voters decide and we have a government then I will be able to tell you how we are engaging that government. But I will tell you, whatever the Indian voters decide, whatever government comes to power, the US will engage that government, because we have long-term biding national strategic and economic interest in India." the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"On foreign affairs you would see a very great desire by the United States to continue its coordination with India in the neighbourhood, and in the broader region around India going west and going east,

The international community today condemned the Syrian government’s plans to hold elections this summer on June 3 2014, reports the BBC.

The United Nations Secretary General, deemed the election problematic, warning that it could spoil efforts to end the 3 year civil war.

A state department spokesperson warning of the dangers of elections amidst oppression said,

“Calling for a de-facto referendum rings especially hollow now as the regime continues to massacre the very electorate it purports to represent.”

Chinese investment in Taiwan registered a 90% drop in the first quarter of the financial year reports the Central News Agency (CNA).

The Economic Affairs’ Investment Commission noted that Chinese investment in Taiwan was 90.83% lower than last year.

The drop in Chinese investment comes amidst strong protests by Taiwanese activists against an impending trade deal between China and Taiwan, which activists say will increase China’s influence in Taiwan.

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Members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations called for further business-aimed sanctions against Russia, as pro-Russian separatists continue to occupy key buildings in eastern parts of Ukraine and a strong Russian military presence remains on the border.

The Senators said that the US must apply pressure on Gazprom and other financial arms of Russia if Russia does not take clear steps to de-escalate the situation, reports Reuters.

Congo confirmed the first batch of former M23 rebels that would receive amnesty in line with an agreement adopted last year, reports the Associated Press.

The Congolese Justice Ministry announced that roughly 50 people who were involved with the M23 at the final stages of the conflict last year would be granted amnesty.  The ministry said that it was considering amnesties on a case by case basis.

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The Central African Republic is close to facing genocide warned Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in a statement released by the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation today.

“The country stands on the brink of genocide; some would say it has already commenced,” said Tutu in the statement.

The Archbishop stressed that that the people of the CAR had to play a key role in finding sustainable peace.

The leader of Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing of the capital Abuja last week, reports CNN.

A man claiming to the be the leader, Abubakar Shekau, asserting that  the bomb attack was due to the Nigerian government’s collaboration with the United states, warned of further violence.

“This is a prelude” said the man.