TOP STORY: In his Friday sermon, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for an end to protests and warned that opposition leaders would be “held responsible for chaos.” He dismissed reports of fraud is last week's elections, which he described as a “great demonstration of responsibility by our nation.” Khamenei also blamed “media belonging to Zionists, evil media” for sowing unrest in Iran.
Opposition leaders had no immediate response to Khamenei's intervention. Reports indicate that opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi was conspicuous by his absence from the prayers after Khamenei had requested he attend. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in attendance. The opposition candidates may bring their complaints to Iran's Guardian Council as early as tomorrow.
The question now is how long Iran's security forces will continue to allow demonstrations to continue, particularly after the supreme leader's warning. The relative restraint thus far may be due to the influence of former president and senior cleric Akbar Hashemi Rasfanjani, a rival to Khamenei who supports the opposition. In an effort to show even-handedness, during his sermon Khamenei also criticized Ahmadinejad for accusing Rasfanjani of corruption.
UNDER THE RADAR: The Indian military has launched an offensive against Maoist rebels in West Bengal after the killing of 10 government supporters and the takeover of several villages this week.
Asia and Pacific
- Islamist rebels in Southern Thailand have been targeting teachers for assassination.
- Separatist protests in Kashmir have all but shut down the disputed province.
- The U.S. has deployed interceptor missiles and radar systems to Hawaii after threats from North Korea.
Europe
- A car bombing that killed a policeman in Basque country today was blamed on the separatist group ETA.
- The European Union agreed to establish a continent-wide financial watchdog.
- The Northern Irish loyalist group Ulster Volunteer Force decommissioned many of its weapons.
Middle East
- The British ambassador in Lebanon has held talks with a senior official from Hezbollah.
- Arab government have largely kept silent about this week's events in Iran.
- The U.S. senate approved funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, after intense lobbying from the White House.
Africa
- Amnesty International says human rights abuses have continued in Zimbabwe.
- Nigeria's MEND rebels say they have blown up a major oil pipeline belonging to the Italian company Agip.
- Officials now say that 35 people were killed in the bombing yesterday that also took the life of Somalia's security minister.
Americas
- The UN has rebuked Colombia for not doing enough to stop civilian deaths in its war against the FARC.
- Mexico has filed drug charges against 7 mayors and 19 other officials.
- Accused fraudster Allan Stanford was arrested in Virginia last night.
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