Regime forces have used warplanes and mortar fire to indiscriminately bomb residential areas in Aleppo [Reuters]
'All-Out War' Rages In Syria's Aleppo -- Al Jazeera
Battle for country's largest city intensifies after rebels declare major offensive on regime forces.
Syrian government forces and rebels are engaged in what has been described as an all-out conflict in Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial hub, according to activists.
Friday's clashes are part of an intensified push by the rebels to drive regime troops out of the city after weeks of stalemate. Demonstrations calling for the removal of President Bashar al Assad were also reported in Damascus, the capital.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria refugees to reach 700,000 by year's end - UNHCR.
Iran to 'retaliate' if attacked by Israel.
Israelis see no Iran war this year after Netanyahu's speech.
Israel seeks ‘red lines’ on Iran; Palestinians want UN upgrade.
Iraq militants attack Tikrit prison, freeing 90 inmates. Al Qaeda convicts flee in Iraq jailbreak.
ASIA
China seals Bo's fate ahead of November 8 leadership congress.
China's buildup raises arms race fears.
Japan and China trade barbs over islands at UN.
South Korea: Japan must educate its people about WWII .
Japan's industrial output slips as demand remains subdued.
Dalai Lama: Hope for new China approach to Tibet.
AFRICA
Kenyan military drives al-Qaeda’s Shabab militia out of Somali port. Kenyan forces surround Somali rebel bastion.
US Africa command chief in Mauritania to discuss military intervention.
China offers support to Mali military in fight against Islamists.
Sudan and South Sudan sign accord, but several issues are unresolved.
HRW seeks justice for Guinea massacre victims.
EUROPE
Eurozone inflation in surprise rise in September.
France taxes rich and business to slash deficit.
Greece's 2013 budget to deepens cuts, sustain recession.
Italian unions strike against Monti, close Colosseum.
Steinbrueck surprise shakes up German election race.
Tension with Russia re-emerges as campaign issue in Georgia.
Russia 'consecrates' North Pole to reassert ownership.
AMERICAS
Some former allies ditch Chavez in Venezuela vote.
Peru's coca cultivation increases again, says UN study.
Ammunition for a trade war between U.S. and Mexico.
Mexico captures Zetas drug lord Ivan Velazquez Caballero.
‘El Taliban’ is gone, but his rival Mexican drug lord is worse.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
'Last Gasp' of the Taliban?
Election to decide future interrogation methods in terrorism cases.
Intercepts show attackers on U.S. consulate in Benghazi bragged to Al Qaeda.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple chief Tim Cook apologises over iPhone Maps app.
BofA to pay $2.43 billion in Merrill settlement.
BlackBerry maker RIM's problems are far from over.
Hackers, possibly from Middle East, block U.S. banks' websites.