Popular News
Libyan commander says will retake Bani Walid (Reuters)
Reuters - A militia commander whose troops were driven out of the Libyan tribal stronghold of Bani Walid this week said on Friday that his forces were massing to recapture the town but were holding back at the government's request.
Costa Cruises offers compensation to rescued passengers (Reuters)
Reuters - Costa Cruises has offered 11,000 euros ($14,500) in compensation to each of the more than 3,000 passengers aboard its liner that ran aground and capsized two weeks ago, Italian consumer groups said on Friday.
Boko Haram leader tape threatens Nigeria forces (Reuters)
Reuters - In an audio tape posted on the Internet, the purported leader of the violent Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram threatened to kill more security personnel and kidnap their families, and accused U.S. President Barack Obama of waging war on Islam.
Syria: Are Captured Iranians Military Men or Engineers? (Time.com)
Time.com - The revolt against President Assad has long alleged that Iran has sent soldiers to prop up the regime. Their latest proof, however, may not quite satisfy doubts about the claim
Some slam Nazis; others gather for right-wing ball (AP)
AP - Austrians gathered in memory of the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis condemned plans to hold a ball of extreme rightists later in the day Friday, saying the event's timing transformed it into a macabre dance on Holocaust victims' graves.
Cuba: Tough prison terms for mahogany tree thefts (AP)
AP - Cuba convicted six people of cutting down African mahogany trees in the National Botanical Gardens and sentenced them to eight and 10 years in prison, the Communist Party newspaper Granma said Friday.