 New York Times | Blast Kills Core Syrian Security Officials New York Times BEIRUT, Lebanon รข€" President Bashar al-Assad's brother-in-law and Syria's defense minister were killed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber attacked a crisis group of senior ministers and security chiefs meeting in central Damascus, according to state ... Syrian Defense Minister Killed as Rebels Strike at the Heart of Power Live: Blast Strikes at Assad's Inner Circle Massive Bomb Strikes at Assad's Inner Circle |
 CBS News | Nelson Mandela turns 94, South Africa celebrates CBS News (CBS News) QUNU, SOUTH AFRICA - People across South Africa are marking Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday today with celebrations. At the Nomoscow school, about a mile down the hill from the Mandela home, students sang and stood in line forming the number ... South Africans squabble over slice of Mandela Millions of SAfrican children sing for Mandela Public service marks Mandela's birthday |
 Christian Science Monitor | As Syrian conflict intensifies, UN prepares to extend its mission Christian Science Monitor Today's assassination of two top government officials in Damascus raises the stakes of Syria's conflict yet again. Will the UN vote to continue its observer mission, or give it more teeth? By Whitney Eulich, Staff writer / July 18, 2012 A UN observers ... Massive Bomb Strikes at Assad's Inner Circle Syrian Defense Minister Dawoud Rajha was killed in Wednesday's suicide blast ... Blast Kills Top Security Aides to Assad |
