Rebels declared the battle to "liberate" Damascus has begun as heavy fighting raged across the city on Tuesday and Russia said an agreement is possible for a UN resolution on the Syria crisis.
Damascus rocked by 'most intense' fighting of revolt
Syria's army blasted rebel strongholds in Damascus with mortars Sunday, sparking the "most intense" fighting in the capital since the revolt erupted 16 months ago.
Two people have died and 26 others have been infected by an outbreak of cholera in the city of Gao, northern Mali, a region occupied by hardline Islamist groups.
Poring over pictures of bullet-riddled bodies and charred villages, peace mediators say Myanmar's far north is writhing in the grip of a "resource war" with no end in sight.
Classes at Zhanaozen schools and kindergartens to come to normal January 5
Early winter vacation was announced from December 19 to January 4 due to the emergency situation and curfew introduced following the public unrest December 16.
