The latest news on Egyptians-Somali Pirates, Lockerbie Bomber, Afghanistan, Missing Ship, Iran, Shriver Funeral, Town Hall Meetings, Honduras, Clinton in Africa, Death Panels, Taiwan Typhoon, and Burma.

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Egyptians-Somali Pirates. Egyptians escape Somali pirates "Fishermen held in Puntland since April break free in boats after overpowering their captors." Egyptian fishermen escape from Somali pirates "The crews of two Egyptian fishing vessels have escaped from Somali pirates after overpowering their captors and killing two of them, an associate of the pirates said on Friday."

Lockerbie bomber. Lockerbie bomber to drop appeal "Libyan man jailed for killing 270 people asks to drop his appeal against conviction." Release of Lockerbie Convict Is Debated "Confronting an intense debate over the possible early release of the only person convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, the Scottish authorities formally acknowledged on Thursday that they were considering requests to set him free on compassionate grounds because of poor health and said a final decision could be made soon."

Afghanistan. Afghanistan seeks election truce "Official says deals have been reached with the Taliban over the presidential poll." Taliban vow to disrupt Afghanistan election “The statement came just three days after the Afghan government said it had struck a truce deal with the Taliban in northwestern Badghis province.”

Missing Ship. Missing ship 'found' off Africa "A missing cargo ship with 15 Russian crew on board is spotted off the West African coast, unconfirmed reports say." Curious Case of a Missing Ship "More than a week later, there's no sign of the ship or its Russian crew."

Iran. Iranian ex-MPs challenge Khamenei "A group of former Iranian MPs appeals to a powerful clerical panel to investigate if the supreme leader is fit to rule." Mahmoud Ahmadinejad begins his second term as Iran's president "Reformists, including defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, ex-president Mohammad Khatami and many MPs, boycotted the ceremony."

Shriver Funeral. Shriver's life celebrated "A Special Olympics representative led with a torch as Eunice Kennedy Shriver's family members carried her casket at her funeral in Hyannis today." Special needs adults mourn Shriver at funeral "The legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver lined the sidewalk outside her funeral Mass."

Town Hall Meetings. Organized armies converge on healthcare town halls "Reform advocates have now responded to conservatives' tactics and are flooding audiences to give Democrats cover from attacks." Obama to hit insurers in second town hall "President Obama, trying to regain momentum on healthcare with the second of three town halls this week, will be in Montana today." Raucous Crowd Greets Cardin at Health-Care Town Hall "President Obama's call for civility in the health-care debate fell flat Wednesday in Maryland's first congressional town hall meeting."

Honduras. Mediation stalls in Honduras as leaders refuse Zelaya's return "One month after Costa Rica's president arrived to negotiate an end to the standoff, most of Honduras's top leaders are steadfastly opposed to the return of deposed president Zelaya." Honduran police clash again with Zelaya supporters "Supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya clashed with soldiers and police for a second day on Wednesday."

Clinton in Africa. Hillary Clinton, in Liberia, targets good government "The country, led by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has made significant strides since its brutal civil war ended in 2003." In Cape Verde, Clinton Lauds the 'Promise of Africa' on Final Tour ... "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues her 11-day tour of Africa, speaking in the conflict-torn Democratic Republic of Congo."

Death Panels. False ‘Death Panel’ Rumor Has Some Familiar Roots "Rumors that President Obama’s health care plans would create 'death panels' began with some of the same media outlets that helped defeat President Clinton’s health care plan."

Taiwan Typhoon. Taiwan Leader Says Typhoon Toll May Exceed 500 "President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday he expected the number of dead from the typhoon to rise." TAIWAN: Typhoon survivors hauled to safety "Across a raging river in southern Taiwan on a 100-foot-long cable Thursday, five days after flash flooding from Typhoon." Mainland makes massive efforts to help Taiwan with typhoon relief "The mainland will make an all-out effort to provide relief to Taiwan typhoon victims. The mainland has donated millions of yuan to the island."

Burma. U.S. Senator in Myanmar to Meet Leader "Jim Webb, who arrived on Friday, will be the highest ranking U.S. official to meet the leader in a decade." Myanmar PM meets U.S. senator "Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein met with visiting Democratic Senator of the United States Jim Webb."