Anti-government demonstrations end in violence in Syria
Tens of thousands of opposition sympathizers turned out for rallies in the large cities of Aleppo and Idlip in Syria. Official troops responded with tear gas and live ammunition, according to the UK-based Observatory for Human Rights. More skirmishes between rebels and loyalists took place around the country, some involving tanks and helicopter gunships. Numerous casualties have been reported on both sides.
Eliminated Egyptian candidate backs Muslim Brotherhood rival
Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, who has achieved 4th place in the Egyptian Presidential election, has urged voters to back the Muslim Brotherhood candidate in next month’s runoff. Abul Fotouh was himself a member of the Muslim Brotherhood until recently, when the party disbarred him for putting up his candidacy. The Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi came first in the initial round on May 23 and 24, securing around a quarter of the vote.
Syrian rebels did try to kill Assad's top aides - Israeli officials
Israeli intelligence has confirmed there was an attempt of poisoning several top officials of the Syrian government, just as the Free Syrian Army claimed. Israel’s Haaretz daily suggests the targets of the poisoning attack were Asef Shawkat, who is Assad’s brother-in-law and the head of Syrian intelligence, defense minister Daoud Rajha, interior minister Mohammed al-Shaar, vice president’s aide Hassan Turkmani, national secretary of the Baath Party Mohammed Said Bakhtian and national security chief Hisham Bakhtiar. Members of the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday. Syria’s government however refuted the rumors, saying all the officials were fine.
Standard & Poor’s drops ratings of 5 Spanish banks
Rating agency Standard & Poor’s has downgraded five struggling Spanish banks. Three of the banks were lowered to junk status, while the forecast for all Spanish lenders was “negative”. Earlier on Friday, one of the downgraded banks, Bankia, asked for a €19 billion rescue package from the government.
Unruly passenger arrested on AA flight to Miami
A man was arrested for disorderly behavior on an American Airlines flight between Montego Bay in Jamaica and Dade Airport in Miami. The passenger got up from his seat after the plane landed, but before it had come to a complete stop. Police say the man was drunk and refused instructions to return to his seat, and had to be quickly restrained by the flight personnel.
Millionaire’s daughter jailed for helping London looters
Laura Johnson, a 20 year-old student whose parents run a successful marketing business, has been jailed for two years for burglary and handling stolen goods during last summer’s riots in London. Johnson, a high-achiever with a history of mental illness, was the getaway driver for a group of youths that included her drug dealer boyfriend. The gang pillaged an electronics store and looted alcohol from a garage. Johnson previously claimed that she was forced to drive the other looters, but the jury did not believe her claims after being presented with witness photos of the group laughing together.
Putin to visit Belarus, France and Germany before flying to China
Vladimir Putin will pay his first foreign visit to Belarus on May 31 before visiting Germany and France.
The Russian leader then plans to visit China on June 5-7 for talks with President Hu Jintao and a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s president on May 7 for the third time.
Vatican detains suspect in leak of confidential documents
The Vatican has detained a person suspected of leaking a series of confidential documents and letters to the media. Vatican documents leaked to the press recently have pointed to power struggles and accusations of corruption touching senior cardinals, AP said. Vatican judicial authorities are examining the case, and the suspect is being questioned by Vatican magistrates. It is not clear whether the person is a layman or a cleric.
African Union troops seize rebel stronghold near Somalia’s capital
The African Union force AMISOM and Somali government troops on Friday seized a rebel stronghold near Mogadishu from Al Qaeda-linked insurgents. “We are now fully controlling Afgoye town,” Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Ankunda, the AMISOM spokesman, told Reuters. The government troops already control most of Mogadishu. Al Shabaab rebels have used Afgoye to stage attacks on the Somali capital.
Muslim Brotherhood candidate to compete in second round of Egypt poll
The candidate of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood won a spot in the country’s runoff election, according to partial results on Friday from the presidential vote. The Brotherhood predicted its candidate Mohammed Morsi would face former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq, Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister, in the runoff, AP said. The second round will be held on June 16-17. The victor is expected to be announced on June 21.
Iran's Navy foil attacks on two oil tankers
Iran's Navy warships have foiled pirate attacks on two Iranian-owned oil tankers. The first came under attack earlier this week near Port Sultan Qaboos on Oman's northeastern coast in the Gulf of Oman, the Navy said on Friday. Iranian Navy marines foiled the attack after an exchange of fire. No injuries were reported among the Iranian crews. In another attack, pirates targeted an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and were forced to leave the area.
Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria released
A group of Lebanese Shiites who were kidnapped in Syria have been released, Lebanon's prime minister has said. Najib Mikati said the group was released on Friday and was heading back to Beirut unharmed, AP reports. Gunmen in Syria kidnapped 11 Lebanese Shiite pilgrims on Tuesday, sparking protests in Beirut's Shiite-dominated southern suburbs.
Private Dragon capsule docking with International Space Station
The unmanned SpaceX Dragon capsule approached the International Space Station for docking on Friday. However, as the first commercial vessel to carry cargo to the ISS drew within 100 feet, flight controllers commanded it to retreat. The SpaceX company had to resolve a problem with the on-board tracking sensors, AP said. The docking with the station has been postponed by one hour. Watch the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's docking live here.
Yemen's military kill 38 Al Qaeda militants in clashes
Yemen's army has killed 38 Al Qaeda-linked militants in recent clashes, officials said on Friday. They added that 15 troops were also killed in the violence in the southern provinces of Abyan and Lahjj on Thursday morning. Militant leaders and foreigners were among those killed, state news agency SABA said.
Act of terror with ‘Arab trace’ prevented in Belarus
An act of terrorism with an “Arab trace” has been prevented in the Gomel region of Belarus, the country’s State Security Committee said on Friday. Police detained a man wearing a mask with an Arabic-language sign attempting “to commit a terrorist act against police officers” on Thursday, the statement said, as cited by Itar-Tass. He reportedly intended to use an incendiary mixture and a homemade explosive device equivalent to five kilograms of TNT. The man is believed to have connections to an organized criminal group that was engaged in trafficking Afghan citizens to a European country.
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