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)