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Syrian protesters defy regime gunfire

Tens of thousands of protesters defied regime gunfire and took to the streets on Friday, a day after twin bombings killed dozens of people in Damascus, a monitoring group said. Troops shot and wounded five... Full story

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Egypt rivals trade barbs in debate

Egyptian presidential hopefuls Amr Moussa and Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh traded barbs about their past in a debate that captured the historic moment facing a nation preparing for its first real election for head of state. Full story

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Indo-Pak talks on Siachen in June

Pakistan said on Friday that it would host the next round of talks with India over the disputed Siachen Glacier, dubbed the world’s highest battlefield, on June 11-12 in Islamabad. Full story

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Alzheimer’s research fraud case set for trial

Two Harvard teaching hospitals and a prominent Alzheimer’s disease researcher accused of using falsified data to obtain a government research grant are set to stand trial after a federal appeals court said... Full story

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Obama’s gay stance sets off money rush

Since US president Barack Obama’s declaration of support for same-sex marriage this week, messages, emails and calls have poured in to Dana Perlman, a major fundraiser for Obama’s re-election campaign. Full story

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Indonesian crew find 12 bodies after jet crash

Indonesian rescuers on Friday found the bodies of 12 of the people killed when their Russian jet crashed into the face of a mountain during a sales flight. Questions mounted over how the twin-engine Sukhoi... Full story

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Pirates hijack Greek tanker off Oman

Pirates have hijacked a Greek-owned oil tanker carrying 135,000 metric tonnes of crude oil while in the Arabian Sea off Oman, the vessel’s manager said. Dynacom Tankers Management said it had lost contact... Full story

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Lankan doctors observe strike

Sri Lankan doctors demanding higher pay went on strike at state-run hospitals on Friday, turning away thousands of patients and cancelling hundreds of routine surgical operations, officials said. Full story

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‘Dead’ Australian leaves hospital

A man pronounced dead following a car crash by Australian paramedics who then left the scene has been discharged from hospital after making a remarkable recovery, a report said on Friday. Full story

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Flash flood kills 28 Afghans

Flash floods swept through four villages in northern Afghanistan, killing 28 people and leaving 20 others missing, officials said Friday. ‘Heavy rains overnight triggered flood waters that broke through four... Full story

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Greece stalls on cabinet as EU pressure mounts

Greece remained mired in political stalemate Friday as talks on forming a coalition government stalled after inconclusive weekend polls boosted anti-austerity parties and rattled the eurozone. Full story

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West behind Syria bombings: Iran

Iran on Friday condemned the latest deadly bomb blasts to reel its ally Syria in a 14-month-old uprising and accused Western powers of orchestrating them. ‘The terrorist acts were guided by... Full story

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India to probe drug irregularities

The Indian government announced an inquiry on Friday into the operations of the country’s main drug regulator, just days after a parliamentary report exposed dysfunction within the agency and... Full story

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Pakistan calls cabinet on reopening NATO supplies

Pakistani leaders will meet next week to discuss ending a nearly six-month blockade on NATO supplies into Afghanistan, officials said on Friday. The meeting will also include discussions on how to repair... Full story

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Afghan soldier kills US marine

An Afghan soldier opened fire on NATO troops in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, killing an American and leaving two others wounded, officials said. The death brings to 20 the number of NATO soldiers killed by... Full story

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US killer dead, girls rescued

The most-wanted fugitive in America shot himself dead on Thursday, but the two girls he was suspected of kidnapping were found alive, ending a drama that began with the killing of the girls’ mother and older sister. Full story

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Islamists poised for strong showing in Algeria vote

Results of an Algerian parliamentary election to be announced on Friday were likely to hand an unprecedented share of seats to moderate Islamists, easing pressure for change in a country left... Full story

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