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• EXPECT a the debate on immigration in America to intensify, after the White House and a leading group of senators struck a provisional deal on reform that could allow an amnesty for many illegals. The full Senate will now discuss the proposals and the House—which has proven more sceptical about reforms—will follow suit. If Congress and the executive can somehow agree that this reform plan is the way forward, George Bush may claim an impressive domestic achievement.
• AS CONCERNS for energy security and the environment become more pressing, Britain's government releases its latest energy policy proposals on Wednesday May 23rd. The white paper is expected to call for the building of new nuclear power plants and to seek ways of promoting energy efficiency, the wider use of renewable energy sources like wind and the creation of micro plants. To speed up the building of new power plants, and to encourage more private investment, the government wants to cut red tape, although environmentalists warn that safeguards may be lost.
• STRUGGLING carmakers in America will study the outcome of the first of two hearings called by the Environmental Protection Agency to consider California's attempt to enforce tough emissions standards for new cars after 2009. George Bush's administration, accused of pandering to friends in Detroit, appears to be dragging out the process that would allow California to act. Such is the size and importance of California's market that any new emissions rules would set the standard for the rest of America. That would pile costs on to an already troubled industry. But it might be smart for the planet.
• THE latest period of house arrest for Aung San Suu Kyi, a continual irritant to the authoritarian junta that runs Myanmar (formerly Burma), is set to end. The inspiring leader of Myanmar's democracy movement has been almost permanently detained since winning an election in 1990 that the country's ruling generals promptly annulled (she was also detained earlier). Her prospects still look gloomy. Myanmar's Nobel laureate is likely, once again, to campaign openly for democracy and basic human rights. In response, once again, expect the junta to order her re-arrest.
