10 things you need to know today: June 10, 2012

By The Week's Editorial Staff

The Syrian government renews attacks on Homs, Bradley defeats Pacquiao, and more in our roundup of the stories that are making news and driving opinion

1. SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES KILL 35 IN HOMS
In attempts to regain control of the province of Homs — the epicenter of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime — government forces have dropped at least 500 rockets and shells on the town since Saturday, killing 35 activists. Free Syrian Army rebels had been intensifying attacks on army patrols, roadblocks, and missile batteries in the area, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said. Abu Qassem, an activist in Rastan, which is 15 miles north of Homs, said, "The Free Syrian Army is far outgunned, but it is responding by mounting guerrilla attacks while trying to avoid direct exchange of fire." [Reuters] 
………………………………………………………………………………

2. FRENCH VOTE IN LEGISLATIVE ELECTION
French voters headed to polling stations Sunday in the first round of a legislative election that will reveal how much power newly elected Socialist President Francois Hollande can depend on to push through his agenda. Opinion polls before the vote forecast the Socialist Party would not see a landslide victory. [Wall Street Journal]
………………………………………………………………………………

SEE ALSO: 10 things you need to know today: June 1, 2012

3. EGYPT'S MUBARAK IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak is slipping in and out of consciousness eight days after he was sent to prison to begin serving a life sentence, a security official