1. Tense Ceasefire Reached in Syria. Despite sporadic and increasing outbreaks of violence, the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and opposition groups appears to be holding. Protesters came back out onto the streets in large numbers amid reports that violence had decreased dramatically, and that military units were leaving major Syrian cities. Immediately prior to the April 12 ceasefire, hundreds had been killed by Syrian military forces across the country. The Turkish government reported that Syrian soldiers fired into Turkey at Syrian refugees. The country has been in a constant state of civil unrest since anti-government protests erupted last year. (Source: CNN)

2. Minimal Casualties in Indonesian 8.6 Earthquake. Five people were reported to have died in Indonesia after a magnitude 8.6 earthquake and subsequent magnitude 8.3 aftershock. The epicenter was located off the Indonesian coast, in the Indian Ocean. Generally, earthquakes with a magnitude higher than 6 have the capacity to cause severe damage, and earthquakes at sea generally spawn destructive tsunamis. Though tsunami warnings had been issued, no damage from tsunamis was reported. One of Indonesia’s most destructive earthquakes occurred in late 2004; over 70,000 people were killed in one province alone, mostly by tsunami damage. (Source: BBC)

3. North Korea Satellite Launch Fails Amid Controversy. A North Korean rocket disintegrated 90 seconds into flight, according to officials from the Department of Defense. The United States, South Korea, Japan and other nations suspect that the failed launch was cover for a missile test. South Korea and Japan threatened to destroy any debris from the launch that might endanger their territory. However, neither country made any effort to intercept the rocket. North Korea has been attempting to improve on the design of a long range missile, which would deliver a nuclear weapon over long distances. South Korean intelligence reports also suggest that the North Korean military may conduct a nuclear test in the coming months.  (Source: The New York Times)

4. Norway Shooter Found Sane, Competent for Trial. Anders Behring Breivik, the man accused of carrying out two simultaneous terrorist attacks in Norway last summer, was found sane by psychologists. He may now stand trial for the deaths of 77 people despite an earlier evaluation in November that found him to be incompetent. On July 22, 2011, Breivik allegedly detonated a car bomb outside of the Prime Minister’s office in Oslo, killing eight people. Wearing a police uniform, he then went to the island of Utoeya, where a youth political camp was being held, and shot and killed an additional 69 people. He has admitted to carrying out the attacks, but justified them by claiming that they were necessary to protect Europe from Islam. (Source: BBC)

5. African Nations Condemn Possible Coup in Guinea-Bissau. The American Free Press (AFP) reported that military forces took control of Guinea-Bissau’s ruling party headquarters and state-run radio station on April 13. There were also reports of soldiers barricading major roads in the country. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned what it called an “attempted coup” in the country. These developments come as ECOWAS condemned the military rulers of Mali for their recent coup, which coincided with a civil war fought by separatists in the country. It is not known what, if any, measures will be taken against Guinea-Bissau in the wake of this attempted coup. (Source: Al Jazeera)