Syria

The Syrian troops clashed with the rebels near the Turkey border giving a first blow to the already fragile ceasefire.

Soldiers, tanks and snipers still in position in major cities around Syria but no violence reported.

The rebels, refusing to recognise the Syrian regime, said they would not provide any written guarantee on laying down arms as sought by the government.

While the UN-backed ceasefire deadline is 12 April, the region has been witnessing severe bloodshed for the past few days.

Russia and China, who dissented on two previous UN resolutions on Syria, joined the other members to endorse Kofi Annan's six-point plan for cease-fire in Syria.

Two explosives-laden vehicles hit the security buildings in Damascus killing dozens of civilians and police personnel on Saturday.

Leaked emails point to lavish, insulated lifestyle of Bashar and Asma al-Assad while bloody crackdown continued around them.

International Red Cross asks Syrian regime and rebels to observe daily ceasefires to allow aid through to Homs.

There are reports of protests in front of Syrian embassies in the UK, US, Spain, Sweden and Cairo.

There were reports of shelling at the Syrian city of Homs on Friday, by the Syrian security forces, in which more than 200 people are believed to be killed.

Representative of the Arab League are likely to meet on January 21 to discuss the future course of action on Syria.