Syrian Warplanes Strafe Aleppo as Rebels Commandeer Tanks -- New York Times
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo intensified on Wednesday as United Nations observers there reported that Syrian jets had fired rockets into contested neighborhoods and that rebels had commandeered tanks and other heavy weapons.
Opposition leaders — a few hours after President Bashar al-Assad urged his forces to step up the fight — also said that they had found dozens of bodies in a suburb of Damascus in the aftermath of the Syrian army’s house-to-house search for rebel fighters and activists. This claim of a new massacre came as the rebels faced severe criticism themselves for what appeared to be their brutal summary execution, one day earlier, of suspected pro-government gunmen on the streets of Aleppo, recorded and uploaded on the Internet.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria dispatch: battle for Aleppo hangs in the balance.
UN assembly to ask Syria's Assad to step down.
Al-Assad to army: Restore order to Syria. Syria army in 'crucial and heroic battle', says Bashar al-Assad. Assad praises troops but his whereabouts are mystery.
Dash to enter Damascus with rebels shows government still in control.
Syrian soldier executed after graveside 'trial'.
UN: Syria using fighter jets against rebels with tanks.
Panetta meets Israeli leaders amid reports of splits on striking Iran. Panetta, in Israel, warns that US will use military force to stop Iran nuclear bomb.
Iraq car bombings kill 19 in central Baghdad.
Iran nuclear crisis: Barack Obama imposes new sanctions.
New Iran sanctions also hit banks in China, Iraq.
Iran unfazed by Israeli, US threats of force: Netanyahu.
ASIA
Analysis: China unveils oil offensive in South China Sea squabble.
Human rights group cites 'atrocities' in Myanmar.
China, S. Korea slam Japan's claims over disputed islands.
Philippines and Cambodia in South China Sea row.
China says US sanctions against Chinese bank over transactions with Iran will damage ties.
Power restored across India after historic failure.
Oil majors avoid Philippine bids for China-claimed sea blocks.
AFRICA
Tens of thousands flee north Kivu.
Israel: Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi pledges new peace efforts.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seeks Hague trial.
Sahel region of West Africa 'in permanent food crisis'.
Mali warned of 'human rights chaos' by Amnesty.
Intelligence building in Libya hit by blast; suspected killer of rebel chief freed from jail.
Turks provide aid in Mogadishu, Somalia, where others fear to tread.
Suicide bombers target Somali constitution conference.
Exiled Rwandan general attacks Paul Kagame as 'dictator'.
EUROPE
Greece agrees new spending cuts to keep bailout.
Britain's annual bill for being in EU hits record £19.2 BILLION.
Eurozone manufacturing activity 'hits three-year low'.
Spanish regions rebel against deficit targets.
Bulgaria releases image of suicide bomber.
Belarus generals sacked over Swedish teddy bear stunt.
Parisians warned that naked sunbathers will be jailed.
Russian lawyers say women's punk band members mistreated.
Greece strips VIPs of police guards amid public anger.
AMERICAS
Drought puts more than half of U.S. counties in disaster zones, USDA says.
"Fast and Furious" gun case doomed by reckless strategy: report.
Mexico charges generals over suspected drug gang ties.
Colombian rebel chief says he's ready for peace.
With Brazil as advocate, Venezuela joins trade bloc.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
State Department: Iran supports Al Qaeda, Taliban.
Sharp decline in terror attacks after Bin Laden death.
Taliban deny media report that they seek split with al Qaeda.
Judge orders Iran, al-Qaida, to pay $6 billion in 9/11 lawsuit.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Analysis: As rich world falters, buoyant SE Asia discovers credit.
Asian factories sputter as Europe sinks: PMIs.
Drought deepens worries about food supplies, prices.
Deutsche Bank to cut 1,900 jobs.
Apple says documents prove Samsung copied iPhone.