UPDATE: News and Links

 

Egypt sentences former finance minister

Youssef Boutros-Ghali, tried in absentia, is ordered to serve 30 years in jail and pay over $5m.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/201164115437667338.html

 

Yemen's Saleh has shrapnel near heart: report

(Reuters) - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been left with shrapnel near his heart and second-degree burns to his chest and face after an attack on his palace, the BBC reported on Saturday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/us-yemen-saleh-injury-idUSTRE7531RA20110604?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

Saudi Arabia brokers new truce in Yemen: Saudi source

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has brokered a fresh truce between a powerful Yemeni tribal federation and forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a Saudi source said on Saturday, and a tribal leader said his followers were abiding by it.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/us-yemen-idUSTRE73L1PP20110604

Afghan talks possible if war gains continue: Gates

(Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Saturday there could be political talks with the Afghan Taliban by the end of this year if NATO made more military advances and put pressure on the insurgents.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/us-afghanistan-gates-idUSTRE7530HJ20110604?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

Palestinians storm shut Egypt crossing: witnesses

(Reuters) - Egypt shut its border crossing with Gaza on Saturday for the first time since opening it on a routine basis last month, and angry Palestinians stormed the gates in protest, Hamas officials and witnesses said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/us-palestinians-egypt-gaza-idUSTRE7530SP20110604?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

NATO helicopters raise pressure on Gaddafi

(Reuters) - British and French attack helicopters struck inside Libya for the first time overnight on Saturday, hitting targets in the oil port of Brega as NATO forces stepped up their air war against Muammar Gaddafi.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110604?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

US-drone reportedly kills al-Qaeda leader

US-drone killing of Ilyas Kashmiri in Pakistan sparks public protest against civilian deaths by attacks.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/20116495720875573.html

Pakistan and the US: A too-close embrace?

New leaked US embassy cables reveal further evidence of states' dysfunctional relationship.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/201161134142800785.html

UN urges Sudan's immediate pullout from Abyei

Security Council considers Khartoum's military control over Abyei a "serious violation" of north-south peace accords.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/20116323453254445.html

Civilians killed in Somalia clashes

At least 17 killed as government forces try to drive out al-Shabab fighters from Mogadishu's main market.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/06/201162153344559522.html

Deaths as blasts hit Nigeria towns

Series of explosions in cities across the country's north leave at least 12 people dead.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/2011530153340602129.html

Global war on drugs 'a failure'

High-level panel declares international anti-drug measures a failure and suggests legalising cannabis and other drugs.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/06/201162133345452496.html

Thousands march in Tel Aviv in support of Palestinian state based on 1967 borders

Around 5,000 people participate in march that was organized under the title 'Netanyahu said no - We say yes to a Palestinian state'.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-march-in-tel-aviv-in-support-of-palestinian-state-based-on-1967-borders-1.365923