Syrian pipeline explodes A Syrian pipeline carrying crude from oilfields in the east of the country was blown up near the restive city of Homs on Thursday, according to anti-government activists and the official news agency SANA. 
U.S. "virtual embassy" blocked by Iran net censor Iranian authorities blocked a website Wednesday hours after it was launched by the U.S. State Department to be a "virtual embassy" reaching out to people in the Islamic Republic. 
Assad says only "crazy" leaders kill own people Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied ordering his troops to kill peaceful demonstrators, telling the U.S. television channel ABC that only a "crazy" leader kills his own people. 
Syrian tanks reach Turkish border Syrian troops on the Turkish border opened fire in sustained bursts on Wednesday, residents of Turkish villages close to the frontier said, a day after Syrian authorities said they had repelled an armed incursion from Turkey. 
U.S. seeks to reassure China on Australia military... The United States has sought to reassure China that expanding military U.S. ties with Australia are not aimed at containing China, a U.S. defense official said on Thursday, a day after talks with the Chinese army. 
Alec Baldwin asked to leave flight for playing... Actor Alec Baldwin was involved in a dispute with an American Airlines flight attendant on Tuesday and asked to disembark an airplane because he was playing a smart-phone word game before departure. 
Syria says "would like" to accept Arab deal Syria said it had conditionally approved an Arab League peace plan to end eight months of unrest which threatens to drag the country to civil war and activists said at least 60 bodies were taken to hospitals in the central city of Homs on Monday. 
Putin's party has domination cut in Russia Several thousand protesters took to the streets on Monday to demand an end to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule after voters cut his party's parliamentary majority in an election that was condemned as unfair by European monitors. 
Pampered pandas flown into Scotland A pair of pampered giant pandas arrived in Scotland Sunday to a reception of cheering and flag-waving crowds while British officials said the 10-year loan of the bears by China strengthened ties between the two countries. 
Suicide bomber strikes near Turkish embassy in... A car bomb exploded yards from the Turkish embassy in the Somali capital on Tuesday, the latest in a wave of deadly attacks in the coastal city, and a health official said three people were killed. 
Afghan Shi'ite shrine blast kills 54 A suicide bomber attacked a Shi'ite Muslim shrine in Kabul on Tuesday killing at least 54 people in unprecedented sectarian violence a day after Afghanistan's Western allies pledged long-term support once their troops leave. 
Islamists seek to extend gains in Egypt run-off... The Muslim Brotherhood's party will seek to extend a lead over hardline Islamists in run-offs in Egypt's parliamentary vote Monday, with liberal parties struggling to hold their ground in a political landscape redrawn by the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. 
Putin suffers election blow Russian voters dealt Vladimir Putin's ruling party a heavy blow by cutting its parliamentary majority in an election that showed growing unease with his domination of the country as he prepares to reclaim the presidency. 
Israel told to get back to the "damn" negotiating... U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta urged Israel on Friday to get back to the "damn" negotiating table with Palestinians and take steps to address what he described as the Jewish state's growing isolation in the Middle East. 
