A high profile defector says Syria's armed forces have encountered a serious problem in the 2-year civil war; Depositors say it’s unfair to be stuck with the tab for the EU’s bailout of Cyprus;  And two high-flyers make an AMAZING entrance to Rio de Janeiro, and we’ve got the video on the other side of the “read more” button.  Seriously, that's a heckuva ride:

A top Syrian general has defected and says the forces of Bashar al-Saad are suffering their lowest morale in the two-year-old civil war.  Major General Mohammed Ezz al-Din Khalouf was in charge of logistics and supply for the Syrian army.  He reportedly got out through Jordan.  This comes as the UK and France say they want to sell arms to the rebels, and Iran and Hezbollah say they're ready to bolster the government forces.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is defending the European Union bank bailout, but a rage boiling amongst the people who say they’ve been betrayed.  Depositors have to pay a one-time levy of 6 to 10 percent under the terms of the EU deal.  They say that’s incredibly unfair as many of the depositors are retirees who came to Cyprus from other countries and had absolutely nothing to do with the banksters who made bad loans made to Greek businesses that defaulted.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister has pulled off a first for his country:  Raja Pervez Ashraf is the first to leave office because his term was over.  Since 1947, every other Pakistani PM has been toppled by infighting, deposed by coups, or killed before the term ended.  Elections are scheduled in May.

Venezuela’s Presidential candidates are sparring on the campaign trail.  Opposition conservative Enrique Capriles wants to end more than a decade of left-wing rule and hit the government on the high crime rate and sporadic shortages.  Acting President Nicolas Maduro said the market-minded Capriles would send home the Cuban physicians who are providing healthcare to low income Venezuelans.  Most low-income people simply never had access to health care before the late Hugo Chavez started the Cuban doctor program.

Morrissey is canceling the remainder of his U.S. tour after a series of medical ailments including a bleeding ulcer and pneumonia.  He’s cancelled 21 shows in the last year.  Morrissey’s tour has also been plagued with clashes with his steadfast vegetarianism, including his refusal to appear on a TV talk show alongside the stars of the redneck reality show “Duck Dynasty”.

Okay, there’s no news value to this, but OMG THIS RULES!!  Two daredevils flew up to the clouds above Rio de Janeiro in ultra-light aircraft; they jumped out and used winged suits to glide down between the skyscrapers and eventually land safely in a park. Ludovic Woerth and Jokke Sommer admit they did not have permission for the stunt.  PLEASE--Do not try this at home.  Or anywhere else.