Brigadier-General defects from military with 200 soldiers from Idlib; At least 57 people, including two Western journalists killed by regime forces.
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U.S. ‘closely consulting’ with Israel over Iran nuclear program
State Department says failure of UN nuclear watchdog mission to Tehran a ‘disappointment'; White House spokesman chides Iran over lack of progress in talks.
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Dozens killed in Syria as top military officer defects with hundreds of soldiers
Russia: Israeli strike on Iran would be 'catastrophic'
Deputy Russian FM warns Israel against striking Iranian nuclear sites, saying Israel must understand consequences of such an action.
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Two Western journalists killed in Syria shelling
Witnesses say shells hit house in the Baba Amro district of Homs in which journalists were staying, and a rocket hit them when they tried to escape.
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IAEA official: No 'way forward' on nuclear talks with Iran
IAEA's Herman Nackaerts returns to Vienna after visit to Iran; says talks with Iranians were inconclusive.
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Syria security forces kill 27 in ongoing violence
Videos taken by local activists in Idlib show bodies of young men with bullet wounds lying in streets and in houses.
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U.S. hints at possibility of arming Syrian rebels
Comments made by officials at both the White House and the U.S. State Department mark shift in emphasis by Washington.
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At least 65 Syrians killed in fresh assault on Homs
Activists describe assault as heaviest since start of offensive on restive city by Bashar Assad's forces earlier this month.
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Syrian opposition says 16 die in Homs shelling
Activists say intense shelling of Homs lasted a few hours but did not seem to be the start of a widely expected military offensive aimed at retaking its rebel-held neighborhoods.
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Iran to take pre-emptive action if endangered, warns top general
Deputy head of the Islamic Republic's armed forces says if Tehran feels that its enemies want to endanger its national interests, then it will 'act without waiting for their actions.'
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Americans consider Iran to be U.S.'s greatest enemy, poll shows
Gallup's World Affairs survey puts China as second on list of 'greatest enemies,' with North Korea a distant third; Republicans more likely to cite Iran than Democrats.
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Red Cross negotiates Syria humanitarian ceasefire with Assad regime
Geneva-based group seeking two-hour cessation of hostilities in hotspots including Homs, where opposition strongholds have been under fire for weeks.
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Syrians sense war in Damascus while Assad tries to score points
Syrians report electricity shortages in Homs and Damascus, as Syrian President Bashar Assad tries minimizing pressure by a referendum on changes to the constitution that do not satisfy the opposition.
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Iranian warships dock at Syrian port after crossing Suez Canal
Press TV reports the arrival of two Iranian warships at the Syrian city of Tartous; crossing of the Suez Canal is the second in a year by Iranian warships.
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Iran official: Oil ban could expand to more 'hostile' EU countries
Comment by Tehran's oil ministry comes after Iran announced it would cease the sale of crude oil to British; Iranian forces commence drill aimed at improving air defense of nuclear sites.
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Libyans still feel insecure one year after Gadhafi's fall
Flag-waving crowds converge on Tripoli and Benghazi to celebrate the anniversary of the uprising that toppled Libyan leader, while authorities man checkpoints to keep Gadhafi loyalists out.
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China rebukes Iran for stopping oil sales to Britain and France
Beijing says dialogue and negotiations is only way to resolve dispute, after Tehran bans oil sales to French and British companies, apparently in response to EU boycott on Iran oil in July.
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Iran halts oil sales to British, French companies
Move comes as apparent retaliation for a decision by the European Union in January to stop importing crude from Iran from July 1 over its disputed nuclear program.
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Iran FM: We are ready to face 'worst-case scenario' in defense of nuclear program
Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran believes it is in the right in regards to its 'civilian' nuclear program, adding that Iran plans 'to move ahead with vigor and confidence.'
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Egypt recalls its ambassador to Syria amid persisting violence
Egyptian ambassador called back to Cairo, following reports of U.S. drones over Syria and protests in Damascus on Saturday.
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Iran poised to expand uranium enrichment at underground facility, diplomats say
Diplomats tell AP that Iran has put finishing touches for the installation of thousands of new-generation centrifuges at Fordo site.
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More than 10,000 march in Damascus anti-Assad protest
Protest was largest in Syria's capital city since the uprising began last year; visiting Chinese envoy urges dialogue and calls on all parties to stop violence.
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Iran says Stuxnet virus infected 16,000 computers
Iranian deputy intelligence chief quoted as saying that Iran is facing difficulties obtaining anti-malware software due to international sanctions.
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Trial starts in Iran's biggest banking scandal
Trial is likely to compound the power struggle between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which emerged in public last year.
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Report: U.S. drones flying over Syria to monitor crackdown
Pentagon officials say drones used to gather evidence to make case for international response; 40 Turkish intelligence officials captured in Syria, Assad regime claims Israel's Mossad trained them.
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Iraq tightens security on Syria border to stop arms flow
Iraq's reinforcement of security along Syria border follows reports of fighters and weapons crossing into Syria where President Bashar Assad has been facing an increasingly armed revolt.
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Thailand police: Iranian suspects in Bangkok attack consorted with prostitutes
Men spent 2 nights in beach resort of Pattaya, notorious for its sex industry, took pictures; cell-phone image shows Iranian nationals sitting near drinks-filled table.
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U.S. sanctions Iran ministry for aiding Assad's crackdown
Washington announces seizure of U.S. assets of Ministry of Intelligence and Security for human rights abuses, support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and al-Qaida.
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U.S. intelligence chief: Iran not close to dropping nuclear plan
But adds that 'the agency assesses Iran as unlikely to initiate or intentionally provoke a conflict.'
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U.S. intel head doesn't expect Assad to fall yet
Contradicts Ehud Barak's view that Syrian leader's days are numbered.
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Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood backs military in dispute with U.S. over NGOs
Muslim Brotherhood praises Egyptian officials carrying out crackdown on pro-democracy groups, saying it supports their 'nationalist position'.
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UN General Assembly plans to vote on Syria resolution on Thursday
Saudi Arabia-led draft resolution condemns the ongoing violence in Syria and calls for a political transition to a democratic system.
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U.S.: Iran lashing out to 'distract' from impact of sanctions
Iran unveiled new nuclear advances on Wednesday, defying increasingly tough Western sanctions; U.S. says Iran's leaders are under pressure.
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Egypt backs Syria change, but not from outside
Egypt FM: Situation in Syria is deteriorating quickly, time has come for change in order to avoid a complete explosion.
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Assad sets date for referendum on new Syria constitution
State television reports referendum will be held on Feb. 26; draft constitution would limit the presidency to two seven-year terms and allow for multiple parties.
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Iran denies state media reports on halt of oil exports to European countries
Press TV had earlier reported that Iran had stopped exporting oil to France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Netherlands and Spain.
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Ahmadinejad unveils three new Iran nuclear projects
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad witnesses insertion of Iran's first home-made nuclear fuel rods into a medical reactor in Tehran.
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Report: Iran stops oil exports to six European countries
Press TV reports that Tehran halts exports to Netherlands, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy; semiofficial Fars agency says Iran started using new advanced centrifuges at Natanz nuclear plant.
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Iran to load own nuclear fuel rods in Tehran research reactor
Tehran to also unveil fourth generation of domestically made centrifuges, state TV reports.
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Syrian army storms Damascus neighborhood as France pushes for humanitarian corridors
Pro-Assad soldiers search for opposition activists and members of the rebel Free Syrian Army – reports of firefights and destruction.
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Report: Iran to unveil progress in nuclear program
Move may be intended to show sanctions failing to halt Iran's nuclear progress, and strengthen its hand in any renewed negotiations with major powers.
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Turkish student village may herald thaw in ties with Israel
Turkish, IDF officials attend ceremony to inaugurate village built from 130 prefabricated cabins supplied by Israel as humanitarian aid in wake of 2011 earthquake in Van province.
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Syria rejects UN human rights accusations, as Homs shelling continues
State TV reports Syria regime 'categorically rejected' allegations of UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay that it has committed crimes against humanity.
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Gaza's only power plant stops due to smuggled fuel shortage
Gaza's 1.7 million inhabitants suffer from widespread blackouts due to shortage of fuel smuggled from neighbouring Egypt.
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The Muslim Brotherhood prepares for Egypt's new government
A document released in the Egyptian media on Wednesday outlines the Islamist movement's proposed candidates for top positions in Egypt's next administration.
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Report: First opposition protests held in Iran capital in 12 months
Protests in Tehran, coordinated by Green Movement, mark one year since Iran's main opposition leaders Mir-Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi were placed under house arrest.
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Recent terror attacks have less to do with Israel than we think
Hezbollah’s interest to execute an attack at this stage, despite the danger of a violent confrontation with Israel, has more to do with the organization’s standing in Lebanon.
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Syria security forces intensify bombardment on rebel stronghold
Onslaught leaves three dead, day after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay tells UN General Assembly that President Assad was behind 'crimes against humanity.'
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Syria rejects Arab League call for UN peacekeepers, resumes assault on Homs
Arab League seeks joint Arab-UN force to observe ceasefire in Syria; UN General Assembly set to discuss situation in Syria on Monday.
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Iran preparing 'suicide boats' in case of Strait of Hormuz conflict, U.S. official says
U.S. Navy commander Mark Fox says Iranian forces could block strategic waterway if uninhibited, stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve Tehran's standoff with the West.
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Iran blocks access to Facebook, Gmail ahead of Islamic Revolution anniversary
Online reports suggest sites censored in order to suppress any attempt by opposition to renew its protests during the upcoming month-long anniversary celebration to honor the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
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Arab League calls on UN Security Council to send peacekeeping force to Syria
Resolution to bring an end to Arab League monitoring mission, calls for Arab states to implement tighter economic sanctions, halt diplomatic cooperation.
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Khamenei pledges Iranian support to Palestinian 'resistance' against Israel
Iran's supreme leader meets with Hamas' Ismail Haniyeh and warns him against any compromise with Israel.
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Hamas' Gaza chief: Iran will help Muslim world to liberate Al Aqsa Mosque
Speaking at a Tehran rally marking 33 years to the Islamic Revolution, militant organization's PM says massive turnout bodes well for future of 'Palestinian resistance.'
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Turkey working to recognize Syria opposition as country's official leaders
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu organizing a conference of 'Syrian friendly nations' in order to better coordinate action against beleaguered President Assad.
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Al-Qaida calls on Muslim world to support Assad opposition forces
New video of terror group's chief Ayman al-Zawahri urging the ouster of Syria's 'cancerous regime' follows report of al-Qaida links to recent series of bombings in the country.
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Saudi Arabia denies reports it presented UN draft on Syria
Saudi state news agency cites foreign ministry official: No provision of any draft resolution on behalf of the Kingdom has been presented to General Assembly.
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Satellite images show Syrian tanks inside restive city
Satellite image provider releases photos showing an increase in the level of army activity in and around Homs in the past 24 hours.
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Hamas official lashes out at unity agreement with Fatah
Mahmoud A-Zahar criticizes Doha Agreement, says appointment of Abbas to lead unity cabinet is 'a wrong and unacceptable move on a strategic level.'
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Lebanon fears Syria uprising may spill across border
Gunfire and rocket propelled-grenades were used in the fighting that erupted over the weekend between the Alawite neighbourhood of Jabal Mohsen and the Sunni district of Bab al-Tabbaneh, in the city of Tripoli.
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Syria rebels waiting on Damascus and Aleppo to join fight against Assad
Syrian rebels are pinning their hopes on the countries most populated cities to join the rebellion. But one day after twin bombings killing 28 people in Aleppo, life is slowly getting back to normal.
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Syrian army general assassinated by gunmen in Damascus
Killing of Brig. Gen. Issa al-Khouli is the first of a high-ranking military officer in the Syrian capital since the uprising against the Assad regime began.
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At least 26 people killed in fresh Syria violence on Saturday
New violence comes a day after bomb attacks in Aleppo killed at least 28 people; Saudi Arabia pushing UN General Assembly to adopt resolution backing Arab peace plan for Syria.
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Ahmadinejad: Iran will soon announce major nuclear achievements
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses his nation as tens of thousands rally across the country to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
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Report: Al-Qaida behind recent terror attacks in Syria
McClatchy cites U.S. officials as saying that intelligence shows that recent bombings in Syria were carried out by Al-Qaida's Iraq branch, on the orders of Ayman al-Zawahiri.
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Egypt's military rulers vow not to bow to 'threats'
Saturday marks the first anniversary of the fall of the Mubarak regime; protesters have been calling for collective acts of civil disobediance to pressure the military to speed up transfer of power.
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U.S. Syria envoy posts satellite image on Facebook to prove regime violence
Robert Ford posted image days after U.S. embassy in Damascus closed; picture has labels pointing to burning buildings, smoke, impact craters, military vehicles, armored vehicles.
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Saudi Arabia pushes for Syria resolution at UN, as violence flares
General Assembly draft resolution backs Arab peace plan to end violence in Syria; at least 28 people were killed in bombings in Aleppo on Friday.
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Russia accuses West of stoking Syria conflict by arming rebels
In attempt to deflect criticism of Russia for blocking UN resolution, deputy FM says Western states sending the opposition arms, giving them advice and direction.
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Syria officials should face war crimes charges at The Hague, UN rights chief says
Spokesman for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says Assad's brutal crackdown on opposition is a case that belongs in the International Criminal Court.
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Arab Spring portrait scoops World Press Photo prize
'The winning photo shows a poignant, compassionate moment, the human consequence of an enormous event,' judges say of a photograph by Samuel Aranda taken for The New York Times.
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Report: Blasts rock army bases in Syria's Aleppo, civilians killed
At least 25 killed in blast Syrian TV says targets installations country's second largest city; activists report resumed activity by Assad's army near rebel city of Homs.
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Assad forces mull use of chemical weapons in Homs, opposition says
Opposition figures claim government stockpiling chemical weapons and distributing gas masks to soldiers near Homs; 130 people reportedly killed on Thursday as government intensifies crackdown.
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Assad’s forces tighten siege of restive Homs, say Syria activists
Activists report at least 31 killed in Homs a day after Syrian security forces killed over 100 people in heavy shelling.
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Assad takes a page out of Russia's book in his war against rebels
Assad's strategy of bombing cities, indiscriminate massacres, population expulsions and gaining territory mirrors that of his greatest foreign supporter's war against Chechnya.
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Hamas's Gaza-based leadership challenges Palestinian unity deal
Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar come out against key clause in Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal in which Abbas would serve as both president and prime minister of future Palestinian government.
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Haaretz exclusive: The Clinton-Assad meeting that never happened
In part three of the Haaretz expose of emails leaked from the account of the Syrian president's media adviser, former American Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk tried his best to bring President Bill Clinton to Syria in 2009 in an attempt to mend relations.
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Iranian lawmakers call for embargo on oil sales to EU
Statement signed by 200 out of 290 of Iranian parliamentarians calls for cutting off oil sales to EU if embargo on Iranian oil goes ahead in the summer.
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Syrian forces kill at least 67 civilians in Homs, activists say
Three families killed in their homes in Homs by militiamen loyal to Assad regime; violence comes after Russian FM said that Assad wants a peaceful resolution to the unrest.
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Sanctions working? Iran defaults on payments to India
Default prompts head of the All India Rice Exporters' Association to call on members to stop rice exports to Iran based on credit.
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Russian FM: Syria's Assad willing to accept expanded Arab League mission
After talks in Damascus, Sergei Lavrov also says Assad had assured him he was 'completely committed' to seeking an end to violence by all sides.
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Iran parliament summons Ahmadinejad over economic policy
100 assembly members sign petition to grill President, in what analysts see as part of deepening political infighting among the Islamic Republic's hardline rulers before a parliamentary election..
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Russia FM meets Assad, seeking 'swift stabilization' in Syria
Lavrov tells Syrian president: You are aware of your responsibility; also says 'Moscow wants Arab peoples to live in peace and agreement'.
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Assad forces renew bombardment of Syria's Homs, day after at least 100 killed
Attacks continue hours before Russain FM Sergei Lavrov due to meet Assad in Damascus to discuss ways to try to end uprising.
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Iran calls U.S. ban on its assets an 'antagonistic' move
Assets ban targets Iran's central bank and gives U.S. banks new power to freeze assets linked to Iranian government.
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U.S. closes embassy in Damascus as Obama vows to increase pressure on Syria
President tells NBC 'noose is tightening' around Assad's regime; U.K. recalls ambassador for consultations.
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U.S. imposes stricter sanctions on Iran's central bank
President Obama says new sanctions needed because Iranian banks were concealing transactions.
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Report: Top Iran military official aiding Assad's crackdown on Syria opposition
Prominent Syrian lawmaker says the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force has recently arrived in the country to help manage Assad's regime brutal suppression of a 11-month-long popular unrest.
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Iran: 'Positive steps' taken during visit by UN nuclear inspectors
Foreign Miniser Ali-Akbar Salehi says Iran and the IAEA will continue talks in near future; inspectors expected to release report on Tehran visit later this month.
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Abbas to lead Palestinian unity cabinet, following Hamas-Fatah deal
Agreement between rival factions represents a significant breakthrough in the efforts to reach Palestinian reconciliation; still not clear when unity government will be sworn in.
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Iran bans Simpsons dolls, fearing infiltration of western culture
Report by state-affiliated educational institute blacklists popular U.S. cartoon, but allowing Superman and Spiderman since they help the 'oppressed.'
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Report: Assad's army kills 60 in intense shelling of Syria's Homs
Activists report 'most violent bombardment in recent days,' worse than an attack on the city on Friday which residents say killed more than 200 people.
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Final member of Damascus-based Hamas politburo leaves Syria
Senior Hamas leader Imad el-Alami arrives in Gaza to chants and cheers; Hamas has decided to leave Syria so as not to be seen as endorsing Assad's crackdown.
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Mubarak may be moved to Cairo prison hospital
Egyptian officials hope moving former dictator into prison will calm protesters, after four days of rowdy demonstrations against country's military rulers.
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Clinton calls Russia and China's veto of UN resolution on Syria a 'travesty'
Secretary of State says U.S. and allies of Syrian people must redouble efforts outside of the UN to put an end to Assad's crackdown.
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Iran vows to attack any country used by 'enemies' to strike its soil
At Munich Security Conference, Turkey and Qatar urge West not to attack Iran; Turkey FM: A military option will be a disaster.
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Report: Syria’s Assad releases alleged al-Qaida mastermind of 2005 London bombings
Report claims Syrian President released Mustafa Sit-Mariam, also known as Abu Musab al-Suri, as a way to warn West against foreign intervention in ongoing political crisis.
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Syria's top army defector tells The Telegraph: Assad's forces will fall this month
General Mustafa al-Sheikh, who has sought refuge in Turkey, tells the newspaper that the Syrian army is low on combat readiness, and that some elements are reaching out to defect.
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Russia, China veto UN Security Council resolution on Syria
Syria resolution, which had the backing of most Arab and European countries, was voted on as Assad forces killed at least 200, in what activists called one of the bloodiest episodes of the uprising.
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Obama: UN must take stand against Assad's 'relentless brutality'
U.S. calls on Assad to step down from power as UN Security Council gathers to vote on Syria, despite Russia's objection; at least 200 people killed by Syrian forces on Saturday, activists say.
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