[GP] I was putting together some updates on Venezuela and Ukraine and came across this gem of a story. . .

– CNN Latino: Sean Penn to offer government sponsored acting classes in Venezuela

Venezuelan acting students will have the opportunity to get some helpful hints from someone who sure knows the craft – Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn.

The country’s President Nicolas Maduro announced recently the “Milk” actor would be offering classes to students through the Foundation La Villa Del Cine in Caracas, according to a statement on the government’s official website.

The announcement came after he finalized a meeting at the government palace of Miraflores with Penn and Haiti’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe.

. . .Wonderful. And in other news. . .

Venezuela

– CNN: Death toll climbs as protests still rage in Venezuela

– Economist: Support among the poor for the government of Nicolás Maduro is conditional

Ukraine

– AP: Russian upper house approves Crimea annexation

– BBC: EU signs association deal with Ukraine

– Time: Putin – No need for further retaliation against U.S.