Portal:Current events/2012 April 5

April 5, 2012 (Thursday)

Armed conflict and attacks

A rocket fired from Egypt's Sinai desert hits the Israeli city of Eilat but causes no injuries or property damage. (Reuters)
Mali's Azawad National Liberation Movement declares an end to military activities, claiming that they have captured enough territory to form their own state. (BBC)
Syrian Army troops launch a fierce attack on the Damascus suburb of Douma. (AP via WVEC)
Rival militias cease fighting in the town of Zuwara in western Libya after the National Transitional Council claims a ceasefire. (Reuters Alertnet)^{[permanent dead link‍]}

Business and economy

A Chinese company^{[clarification needed]} that insures ships announces it will stop indemnifying tankers carrying Iranian oil. This represents a continued tightening of world sanctions on Iran. (Reuters)

Disasters

At least 14 people die as a result of severe storms in Argentina, with Buenos Aires Province being the hardest hit. (BBC)

Law and crime

Sky News admits illegally hacking emails belonging to members of the public on two separate occasions. (BBC)
2010–2012 Greek protests: Riot police and protesters clash in Athens, hours after a 77-year-old pensioner's suicide outside parliament. (BBC)
International internet group Anonymous protests censorship by targeting Chinese websites, including government bureaus in several Chinese cities. (Al Jazeera) (AP via The Irish Times)
Russian businessman Victor Bout is sentenced to 25 years in prison for smuggling weapons to the Colombian FARC guerilla movement. (RT)

Politics and elections

Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika is taken to Lilongwe's intensive care unit after cardiac arrest and is reported to have died. (BBC) (Reuters)
Umberto Bossi resigns as the head of the Italian Northern League following a corruption scandal. (BBC)