The Friday Round-Up, Week 10

Hello, and welcome back to the Friday Round-Up after a two week break.


In this week's news:


UK


PRINCE William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine (née Middleton), were married today in an hour-long ceremony which took place in Westminster Abbey this morning. Royal wedding fever has gripped the country and the world as people celebrate the union of the newly-appointed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Catherine was wearing a dress designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.


SYRIAN ambassador to London, Sami Khiyami, was barred from the ceremony. The foreign secretary, William Hague, withdrew the ambassador's invitation to publicly condemn the treatment of anti-regime demonstrators by Syrian government forces.


JOURNALIST Andrew Marr has been labelled a hypocrite after he revealed he obtained a superinjunction to conceal an extra-marital affair from the public eye. Marr has told The Daily Mail he was "embarrassed" and had felt "uneasy" about obtaining the injunction but that he had wished to protect his family. Previously, Marr had written an article arguing against the way in which the courts bypass Parliament to create the superinjunctions.


World


HEAVILY armoured Syrian government forces close in on cities that continue to defy President Assad's regime. Tanks occupy Deraa, a city at the centre of the uprising, as forces amass on hills surrounding the Mediterranean city of Banias. Protesters plan to march today in Quamishili, a large Kurdish city close to the Turkish border. More than 500 people have died since the uprising began over a month ago.


STORMS in the USA have killed over 300 people after tornadoes devastated the southern states this week. Alabama was worst hit, officials having confirmed 204 deaths in this state alone. At least 137 tornadoes were sighted in states from Texas to Georgia in a 24 hour period.


TALEBAN prisoners broke free from a jail in Afghanistan through a 1,000 ft tunnel on Monday. 500 Taleban soldiers fled Sarposa prison in Kandahar, an escape labelled a "disaster" by the Afghan government.


Also in the news


A RECORDING of 'God Save The Queen' by the Sex Pistols has been named the most valuable vinyl disc of all time, coming out top over The Beatles in a list compiled by Record Collector magazine. The single, if in mint-condition, is worth £8,000 while The Beatles' 'Please Please Me' is estimated to value £3,500, coming in second place.




That's all from The Friday Round-Up this week! Please keep watching the blog for more updates and for next week's Round-Up. Enjoy the celebrations of the royal wedding!


IB