Syrian Forces Pound Rebels, Annan Awaits Assad Reply -- Ahram Online/AFP
The Al-Assad regime continues its crackdown on Syrian cities where activists and army defectors are based near the Turkish borders.
Syrian troops Tuesday pressed an assault on rebel strongholds near the Turkish border, as peace envoy Kofi Annan awaited a response from the regime on UN-Arab League proposals to end the bloody conflict.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian forces used heavy machineguns to rake the town of El-Baraa in the Jabal Al-Zawiya region, a rebel bastion in the northwestern Idlib province.
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MIDDLE EAST
Report: Syrian troops retake northern rebel stronghold along Turkish border. Report: Syrian forces overrun rebel stronghold.Syria's Assad sets parliamentary poll date.
UN says 230,000 people have fled Syria violence.
Iran rejects claims of cleaning up secret nuclear works at military site.
Israel-Gaza truce taking hold. Gaza cease-fire agreed after 160 rockets fired from enclave, MENA reports.
ASIA
Taliban fire on Afghan officials at attack site. Taliban fire at delegates visiting Afghan massacre site.
Pressure grows on Sri Lanka over war crimes claims.
Thailand extends state of emergency in south.
Ferry capsizes in Bangladesh; at least 31 dead, 150 missing.
Philippines: Arrest warrants for Gloria and Jose Arroyo.
Obama may visit Korean demilitarized zone.
AFRICA
More than 100 dead in South Sudan tribal fighting. Scores dead in a new bout of South Sudan tribal violence.
Malians divided on how to tackle conflict in North.
Blowback? Kenya pins Nairobi grenade attack on Somali Islamists.
Sudan rebels say they shot down drone, government denies.
Hague Court to decide where former dictator of Chad will be tried.
Anger over NGO trial threatens Egypt's interim government.
Invisible Children answers critics after video hit.
EUROPE
Marine Le Pen: Right-wing wild card in French election.
Nicolas Sarkozy 'received £42 million from Muammar Gaddafi for 2007 election'.
Swiss vote against taking more holiday.
Serb commander accused of genocide labeled 'hero'.
Greek students fight stray dogs and despair amid college cuts.
AMERICAS
Afghan killings bring the war to U.S. presidential campaign debate.
Human rights activists in Cuba say political arrests are up.
El Salvador elections: Another test for Latin America's left.
Bolivia's Evo Morales urges end to ban on coca chewing.
If you build it, they won't come? US bases in Caribbean target drug trafficking.
Cheney deems Canada too dangerous for visit.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
LAX bomb plotter's sentence in 2005 overturned.
Al-Qaida cell found in Lebanese military.
U.S. drone strikes kill 15 in northwest Pakistan.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple stock closes at $552, exceeds Exxon market cap by $100B.
Regulation Nation: New study finds Obama’s regs cost $46 billion a year.
US, EU and Japan challenge China on rare earths at WTO.