Road-Side Bomb Detonates, Killing Eight Civilians as Panetta Visits Afghanistan
A large explosion turned a minivan into an inferno, mangling eight people beyond recognition in an attack in the Helmand province today.
UN-Arab League Envoy Awaiting Syrian Response on Proposals to End Crisis
13 March 2012 – The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, said he expects to hear back from Syrian authorities today on the proposals he put forward during his recent meetings in Damascus on ending the ongoing crisis in the country.
Syrian Civilians Continue to Bear Brunt of ‘Collective Punishment’ – UN Rights Panel
Civilians continue to bear the brunt of violence in Syria, the head of the United Nations-appointed panel probing human rights abuses in the country said yesterday, noting that the use of force by security forces and the military against armed groups has often led to collective punishment.
Panetta Cites Value of Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 13, 2012 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today on his first official visit to Kyrgyzstan, which is home to a transit center for all U.S. troops entering or leaving Afghanistan.