AL JAZEERA

Defeated Syrian rebels left their shattered stronghold in Homs on Thursday after a bloody 26-day army siege aimed at crushing a symbol of the year-long revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

The victims were both American, but their identities have not been revealed yet.

On Thursday Al Jazeera was named as News Channel of the Year at the Royal Television Society Awards. But despite its numerous plaudits and fans the Qatar-based network has virtually no presence in the U.S.

Since the departure of U.S. troops in December after almost nine years of war, such attacks have escalated.

Syrian video blogger Rami Ahmad Al-Sayed, who spent the last several weeks broadcasting the heavy military assault in the city of Homs, was killed on Tuesday by Syrian armed forces. His death was confirmed by fellow Syrian activists. Al-Sayed was 27.

The Parchin locale is believed to have been the site of nuclear testing in recent years.

The rebel spokesman added that the captured men are safe, but did not disclose their exact location.

German president Christian Wulff resigned from his position Friday due to increasing criticism over corruption allegations.

Two Iranians are in Thai custody charged with plotting Tuesday's bomb attacks in Bangkok.

The U.N. human rights chief accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Monday of launching an indiscriminate attack on civilians, emboldened by the failure of the Security Council to condemn him.

Despite all the dissent, the austerity program won a clear cut majority in the Greek parliament.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has tossed out an appeal by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani designed to avoid appearing before the court in connection with an ongoing contempt case.

The Syrian opposition, after nearly a year of relentless bloodshed, said it’s too late for any negotiations.

Bombardment of Homs on eve of visit by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as world powers scramble for diplomatic strategy.

A Syrian regime military assault on Homs killed dozens of people on the eve of a visit to Damascus by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov aimed at pressing President Bashar al-Assad to end an 11-month uprising by implementing swift reform.

The United States has begun exploring alternate options to stem the bloodshed in Syria, after China and Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on President Bashar al-Assad to cede power.

Duch, now 69 years old, was the commander of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison.

A deadly brawl following an Egyptian soccer match has left 73 people dead, according to Egyptian state TV.

Pakistan may believe the Taliban is poised to regain power in its neighboring country, Afghanistan, after western forces depart.

After nearly a year of continued violence in Syria, the UN Security Council will debate a resolution demanding Assad step down.

Arab states, divided over how to handle the crisis in Syria, are likely to extend a peace mission there that critics say is handing President Bashar al-Assad more time to kill opponents of his rule.