Top story: Afghans protested for a third day against the burning of the Quran and other religious material at Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan. Crowds turned violent in parts of the country, sparking clashes that left seven dead and many injured.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a statement imploring protesters not to resort to violence, and called a meeting with both houses of Parliament. Some members of Parliament have called on Afghans to take up arms against the U.S. military in response to the incident.
The Taliban have also tried to use the Quran burning issue to rally support for their insurgency against the American presence. The group issued a statement calling on Afghans to attack U.S. military bases and American soldiers in order to "give a kind of lesson to them that they never dare to insult the holy Quran."
The Karzai government has used this episode to renew its demand that the large U.S.-run prison next to Bagram Airfield be handed over to Afghan control. U.S. officials have so far refused, saying that the Afghan government lacks the capacity to run the site.
Attacks in Iraq kill dozens: A wave of attacks targeted predominantly Shiite areas across Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 50 people.
Middle East
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An Egyptian judge who has presided over the case of former President Hosni Mubarak said that he will issue his verdict on June 2.
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The Israeli Supreme Court invalidated a law that granted ultra-Orthodox Jews engaged in religious studies an exemption from military service.
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The White House condemned Iran's decision to block an IAEA inspection of a military site, calling it a "failure" for Tehran.
Europe
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Thousands of Russians rallied in Moscow to support Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's presidential bid.
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The president of Abkhazia survived an assassination attempt.
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Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released after spending a night in jail, as authorities investigate his involvement with a prostitution ring.
Asia
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U.S. and North Korean officials met in Beijing for talks over North Korea's nuclear program.
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Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard called a leadership vote following the resignation of her foreign minister, Kevin Rudd.
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A car bomb exploded in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing 15 people.
Africa
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International leaders gathered in Britain for a conference on the future of Somalia.
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The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Italy violated the rights of African migrants by sending them back to Libya.
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South Sudan expelled the head of a Chinese-owned oil company for his involvement in its dispute with Sudan.
Americas
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A train crash in Buenos Aires claimed the lives of 49 people and left over 600 injured.
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Mexican prison guards, who were allegedly complicit in a recent prison break and massacre involving a drug gang, were arrested.
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Heavy rains forced the Bolivian government to declare a state of emergency due to flooding.
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