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June 22, 2012 | | SLAYER Despite its crazy premise, the gory 3-D thriller Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which reaches theaters in wide release today, has won vocal support from esteemed scholars of the 16th president. The Daily Beast’s Chris Lee talked to the book’s author, Seth Grahame-Smith, about Lincoln’s secret biography. MIDDLE EAST Syria has reportedly apologized for shooting down a Turkish F-4 on Friday. Both Turkish fliers survived the mysterious crash, though witness statements suggest that Syrian defenses might have intentionally shot down the plane. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the uprising began in Syria more than a year ago. Meanwhile, senior U.S. and European officials are concerned that terrorist groups, including al Qaeda, are operating among Syrian rebels and potentially supplying them with missiles. Target Taliban militants stormed the popular resort destination of Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul on Friday, killing at least 20 civilians while all seven of the gunmen, a police officer, and three private guards were shot dead. The Taliban said that Afghans drank alcohol at the resort and that prostitution and dancing were going on there. “These acts are illegal and strictly prohibited in Islam,” a Taliban spokesman said. “Women dancers were sexually misused there.” The gunmen also took scores of hostages during the 11-hour-long siege. BACK IN THE SQUARE Thousands of Egyptians packed into Cairo’s Tahrir Square—the site of the famous revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak’s regime—on Friday as they awaited the results of the nation’s first presidential election. While the ruling military said Egyptians have the right to assemble peacefully in the square, they said they will “deal firmly” with attempts to harm the public interest. Members of Egypt’s powerful Muslim Brotherhood party camped out overnight in the square, and they expected to be joined later in the afternoon by secular protesters. The Muslim Brotherhood has claimed their candidate for president, Mohamed Morsi, is the “legitimate” winner of the election, although Mubarak’s former deputy, Ahmed Shafiq, has declared himself the victor. The official results are expected this weekend. SUSPENDED Politico reporter Joe Williams has been pulled from the White House beat after saying in an MSNBC appearance Thursday that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is most at ease around “white folks.” Williams is also famous for his provocative Twitter feed. Politico sprang into action. “Our standards are serious, and so are the consequences for disregarding them,” the political news site said in an company memo. “This is true for all Politico journalists, including an experienced and well-respected voice like Joe Williams.” Williams also posted jabs at Romney on Twitter. | | 
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