Top news: Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab has reportedly defected to the opposition after fleeing with his family to Jordan. Syrian state TV had reported that Hijab was fired but in a statement released by a spokesman in Amman, he announced that he had "joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution." Hijab was appointed in June after parliamentary elections. He will be replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Omar Ghalawanji who will lead a caretaker government.
The news comes as Syrian forces appear to be preparing a final ground assault on the battered city of Aleppo. In Damascus, a bombing hit the headquarters of Syria's state broadcaster as fighter jets assaulted a rebel stronghold in the city.
A group of Syrian rebels have abducted dozens of Iranian citizens. The Iranian government claims they were pilgrims who were visiting a Shiite shrine near Damascus, but in a video message, a rebel commander described them as militiamen. Iran has appealed to Turkey and Qatar, nations with close ties to the rebels, to help secure their release. Tehran has repeatedly denied allegations that it is providing military assistance to President Bashar al-Assad to crush the rebellion.
Space: NASA's Curiosity rover landed successfully on Mars.
Middle East
- Gunmen killed 15 and stole a vehicle in an attack on an Egyptian army base in Sinai.
- Dozens were killed in a suicide bombing in southern Yemen on Saturday.
- A major Turkish security offensive over the last two weeks may have killed more than 100 Kurdish rebels.
Asia
- Afghan President Hamid Karzai approved the impeachment of two senior security officials.
- In a potential diplomatic incident, Sri Lanka's navy has detained 37 Chinese fishermen.
- Top Chinese leaders have convened a secret meeting to finalize plans for a handover in leadership later this year.
Africa
- Gunmen launched a raid on a military camp in the Ivory Coast.
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's focus is on HIV/AIDS prevention as she visits Malawi.
- A suicide bombing killed six soldiers and two civilians in Northern Nigeria.
Americas
- Seven people were killed in a shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
- Jamaica marks the 50th anniversary of its independence as the country celebrates Usain Bolt's latest gold medal.
- Peruvian police destroyed more than 50 tons of marijuana.
Europe
- Greek police rounded up nearly 5,000 people in an operation targeting illegal immigrants.
- British Prime Minister David Cameron's government will face a test with voters after a prominent conservative legislator quit parliament.
- S&P has affirmed the downgrade of 15 major Italian banks and cut the ratings of 15 more.
Getty Images
Read More
(0)
HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE