Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Contradictory reports out of Tehran today over Iranian threats to cut off oil to six countries in Europe.
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* Officials in Greece have reportedly “met the final two demands set by the country’s international lenders to seal a bailout, paving the way for a deal and an agreement to ease its debt burden to be announced on Monday.”
* In the meantime, as Europe slips closer to a recession, it’s worth remembering a simple rule: austerity doesn’t work.
* Syria: “With Syrian cities under fire and residents saying life is ever more unbearable, President Bashar al-Assad set a date later this month for a referendum on a new constitution.”
* Syria’s opposition National Council, meanwhile, will open an office in Libya.
* It should never have taken four months, but Adalberto Jordan was confirmed by the Senate today to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The final vote was 94 to 5.
* Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe (R) and Susan Collins (R) are taking a sensible line on contraception access — at least they were before hedging a bit.
* Record fuel economy: “In advance of the seasonal spring hike in gasoline prices, the fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the U.S. last month was at a record high, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.” * As expected, Robert Zoellick will step down as the head of the World Bank in June. The political implications in Washington may prove to be pretty interesting. * It was encouraging to see the National Association of Homebuilders announce a significant surge in builder confidence. * And the right really doesn’t like to talk about this, but the individual health care mandate was their idea. Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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