Syrian Troops Lock Down Protest Haven
July 4, 2011
As part of a further crackdown on the protesters gathering en masse in the historically restive city of Hama, Syrian soldiers have added an Olympic champion to the list of injured, along with 20 other people. Athens bronze medalist Nasser al-Shami was part of the large protest in Hama.
Syrian Crackdown Continues as Protests Multiply
July 3, 2011
One day after firing the governor of Hama, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered another crackdown in the city, a hotbed of opposition. Army troops backed by tanks and other heavily fortified vehicles roamed the city, arresting dozens of people suspected of fomenting disquiet.
Yemen Violence Spreads; Key Defections Increase
June 29, 2011
The civil unrest in Yemen has turned increasingly violent in recent weeks and has spread far beyond Sanaa, the capital.
Yemen Violence Increases; Civil War Feared
May 24, 2011
Even as Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh appealed for a cease-fire, the political situation continued to deteriorate around him.
Shanghai to Introduce One-dog Policy
May 16, 2011
People who live in Shanghai have recently found out that they will have to abide by the city's new one-dog policy as well as the country's one-child policy. This is bad news for many dog owners.
Tanks Latest Part of Crackdown in Syria
May 8, 2011
The violence continues against anti-government protesters in Syrian cities. The latest instance was of tanks rolling into Homs, the country's third-largest city, to convince protesters to abandon their marches and calls for political reform. Residents of other towns reported tanks in their streets as well.
Bin Laden's Death Brings Mixture of Relief, Anger, Grief
May 2, 2011
The death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has brought relief and renewed grief to people who lost family members and friends in the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Hundreds Arrested in Syria
May 1, 2011
The Syrian government has ordered large numbers of arrests in Daraa, home of the protests against President Bashar al-Assad and his authoritarian regime.
Syria Death Toll Nears 400
April 27, 2011
The streets in major towns in Syria are turning violent, as the government has ordered more and more crackdowns on protesters. Nearly 400 people have died since the protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad began in mid-March.
120 Protesters Killed in Syria
April 24, 2011
In two days, Syrian security forces have killed 120 people around the country. The shots fired on the second day were into a funeral procession for protesters killed in earlier crackdowns ordered by President Bashar Assad.
Yemen President Offers to Leave in Exchange for Immunity
April 24, 2011
In a dramatic reversal, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced that he will agree to leave his post, handing over power to a deputy, in exchange for immunity from prosecution for him and his family.
Allies Fast Deserting Yemen President
April 7, 2011
Clashes Yemen's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is losing friends fast. His violent crackdown on peaceful protesters has pushed away two longtime military commanders, and longtime political allies the United States and Saudi Arabia; and even now, other neighboring countries are negotiating terms of his exit.
Syrian Leader Cracks Down on Protesters
April 4, 2011
Following on the lines of other Middle Eastern countries, most notably Egypt, Syrians in the thousands marched through the streets of large cities, calling for reforms of an autocratic government.
Yemen Situation No Closer to Resolution
April 4, 2011
Clashes between government forces and protesters in Yemen continued to escalate into violence, as President Ali Abdullah Saleh insisted on staying in his post until the end of this year, despite widespread calls for his immediate removal.
'Spiderman' Scales World's Tallest Building
March 29, 2011
"Spiderman" has spun another web of success. Alain Robert, a Frenchman known for scaling tall buildings, found his way to the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, in about six hours.
The 2011 Sendai Earthquake
One of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, it triggered a tsunami that devastated a large part of the country.
The 2011 Libya Protests
Find out more about the massive protests in the North African country of Libya.
Key Commanders Abandon Yemeni President
March 21, 2011
Another of the Middle East nations facing protests against its government, Yemen, has experienced wider problems, including a violent crackdown on protesters and a defection by key military officials.
The 2011 Bahrain Protests
Find out more about the massive protests in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain.
Middle East, Northern Africa Alive with Protests
The recent protests in Egypt, Bahrain, and Libya are not isolated events. All across the Middle East and northern Africa, people have been taking to the streets by the thousands, sometimes the tens of thousands, to speak out against what they see as government oppression.
2012 London Olympics Reveal Schedule
Organizers of the London Olympics have released the competition schedule, a month before tickets are to go on sale for all events. The Opening Ceremonies, on July 27, and the Closing Ceremonies, on August 12, will bookend a total of 302 medal events in 26 sports. The full schedule is here.
Focus on Green at Nuremberg Toy Fair
Green is the color of choice for many entries in this year's Nuremberg Toy Fair.
Party Leaders Resign
Six members of the ruling National Democratic Party, including the secretary-general and the son of President Mubarak, have resigned.
Massive Protests Continue in Egypt
For the 11th straight day, huge masses of people rallied in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, protesting against the government of President Hosni Mubarak.
Saudia Arabia Exploring Alternative Energy Sources
Saudi Arabia, the kingdom known for its vast oil reserves, is thinking green. A statement from the Oil Ministry said that the government was looking into ways to get energy from a variety of sources, including nuclear, solar, and wind.
Restaurant Opens Near Top of Tallest Building
The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, now has a restaurant to match the building's lofty stature.
King Tut's Tomb Soon to be Closed to Public
The tomb of King Tutankhamen, the famed King Tut, will be closed to the public in 2011, the Egyptian government has announced.
Oracle Octopus Gets Memorial
The octopus Paul, which shot to worldwide fame for apparently correctly picking the winner of several games in the 2010 soccer World Cup, is the subject of a memorial.
Amputee Soccer Taking Hold in Haiti
Men who survived the 2010 earthquake by having a leg amputated have formed a soccer league.
Long Spells at Screen Create Health Risk
A new study asserts that sitting in front of a computer or TV for even two hours at a time can be harmful to your health.
German Sinkhole Continues Recent Trend
Another large sinkhole has opened up, this tine swallowing a parked car and a garage door but claiming no lives.
Oracle Octopus Dead of Natural Causes
The octopus Paul, which shot to worldwide fame for apparently correctly picking the winner of several games in the 2010 soccer World Cup, has died.
Dead Sea Scrolls to Appear Online
In an example of modern technology enhancing understanding of ancient technology, the Israel Antiquities Authority has announced that sometime soon, high-resolution images of the Dead Sea Scrolls will be available online.
