Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.

This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Moscow; thousands of Venezuelans protest in the streets of Caracas for nearly two weeks; China orders a fleet of North Korean cargo ships carrying coal to return to North Korea because of that country’s repeated missile tests; and more.
____________________

Americas

Thousands of Venezuelans have taken to the streets of Caracas every day since April 1 in protest against President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The protesters are calling for early elections, the release of political prisoners, and a return to democratic norms. The protests turned violent this week as police launched tear gas into the crowd. At least five people have been killed and a dozen injured in the clashes.

Also check out:

• Mexico to grant residency to 588 stranded Cubans – Lizbeth Diaz and Sandra Maler, Reuters

Central & South Asia

At least 200 U.S. troops have been deployed in the Helmand province in southern Afghanistan this week. The soldiers will train, advise, and assist the Afghan forces who are fighting a resurgent Taliban. On Tuesday, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States Hamdullah Mohib said his country’s military will likely be able to continue the fight against the Taliban without foreign assistance as of 2020. There are currently 8,400 U.S. forces in Afghanistan, down from a peak of nearly 100,000 in 2011.

Also check out:

• China says Dalai Lama ‘provokes’ with visit to disputed border with India – Christian Shepherd, Reuters

China & East Asia

China ordered a fleet of North Korean cargo ships carrying coal to return to North Korea because of that country’s repeated missile tests. The order came after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Meanwhile, a U.S. Navy strike group, including the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, made its way toward the Korean Peninsula. North Korea vowed to counter "reckless acts of aggression" by the United States.

Also check out:

• China offers rewards to root out foreign spies – Tom Phillips, The Guardian

Europe & Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Moscow Wednesday after sending mixed signals as to whether the meeting would take place. Tillerson was recognized with an Order of Friendship medal by Putin in 2013 when he was the chief executive of ExxonMobil. Tensions between Russia and the United States are high following the White House’s accusation that the Russian government covered up evidence that Syria’s Bashar al-Assad was responsible for using chemical weapons on civilians last week, leading to a U.S. missile strike on a Syrian airport. Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that condemned the chemical attack and called for an independent investigation.

Also check out:

• Germany to Sean Spicer: ‘Nothing good’ comes from Nazi comparisons – Dave Goldiner, Forward

Middle East & North Africa

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad filed papers Wednesday to run for president again. The surprise move comes despite advice from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last September not to run. His candidacy must be approved by the Guardian Council, but even many hard-liners believe he will be disqualified. Ahmadinejad was a controversial president who pushed Iran’s nuclear program forward, denied the Holocaust took place, and said there were no gay people in Iran. The election will take place May 19.

Also check out:

• Egypt declares state of emergency, as attacks undercut promise of security – Magdy Samaan and Declan Walsh, The New York Times

Southeast Asia & Oceania

Cambodia’s government released a report this week slamming western governments, diplomats, the media, and NGOs for what it said is an ongoing campaign of disinformation. The report suggested there were concerted efforts to undermine the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and unseat Prime Minister Hun Sen. Meanwhile, Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding on "information cooperation" with China.

Also check out:

• Australia is ill prepared to deal with a China slowdown, economist says – Gareth Hutchens, The Guardian

Sub-Saharan Africa

Kenya has signed several agreements with Qatar to promote tourism, education, scientific research, and cultural cooperation. The agreements were signed by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during his state visit to Kenya this week. Uhuru also presented proposals for new opportunities for Qatar to invest in Kenya.

Also check out:

• Large protest in South Africa shows rising discontent with the country’s president and ruling party – Kevin Sieff, Washington Post

Stay informed. We’ll see you here again next week.