President Bashar al-Assad blames conspirators for the unrest sweeping Syria. Witnesses claim soldiers who disobeyed orders in Banias were shot by security services as crackdown on protests intensifies. Syrian soldiers have been shot by security forces after refusing to fire on protesters, witnesses said, as a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations intensified. Witnesses told al-Jazeera and the... 

Protesters gather at a large anti-war rally in Union Square on April 9, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of Americans have staged a protest rally in New York City to voice concerns over US war and foreign policies as well as the economy and the persisting reduction of social programs. Scores of peace, labor and community activists took to the streets of the major commercial city on Saturday to call... 

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Syria on Friday and were again met by violent crackdowns from security forces, particularly in the city of Daraa where rights groups report forces opening fire into massive crowds of demonstrators. At least 37 protesters were killed nationwide, and 25 of those in Daraa alone. Several hundred others were also wounded. The toll is the one of the... 

Saudi protesters chant slogans during a protest in the eastern city of Qatif, March 2011. Over a hundred people have gathered outside the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Civil Services as anti-regime protests gain momentum in the Middle East powerhouse. The literacy campaign teachers held a rally in front of the Ministry of Civil Services in the Saudi capital on Tuesday, calling for full time employment. Security... 

Shimon Peres's sentiments represent a new direction for the Israeli establishment. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP Israeli president says events in Tunisia, Egypt and other Arab countries represent an opportunity for Israel and the Palestinians. The Israeli president, Shimon Peres, has welcomed “the winds of change” blowing through the Middle East and said events in Tunisia, Egypt and other... 

Syrians anti and pro-Assad protesters clash after Friday prayers in Damascus, Syria, Friday, March 25, 2011. Thousands of Syrians took to the streets Friday demanding reforms and mourning dozens of protesters who were killed during a violent, week long crackdown that has brought extraordinary pressure on the country’s autocratic regime, activists and witnesses said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad... 

Protesters on the anti-cuts march at the rally in Hyde Park, London. These are the scenes in central London tonight as riot police struggle to control anti-capitalist protesters following the TUC’s national demonstration against the cuts. Violence broke out in iconic London locations after splinter groups of activists broke away from the main demonstration and spread out across the centre of... 

The BBC's Lina Sinjab is one of the few journalists to reach Deraa. At least six people have died after security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in the Syrian city of Deraa, human rights activists say. Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the Omari mosque to prevent troops from storming it. The mosque has been the focus of anti-government demonstrations – at... 

Some countries Monday blasted the ongoing West-led military operation against Libya government forces, saying the air raids went beyond the UN resolution and must be scrapped immediately. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin severely criticized the U.S. role in the “Odyssey Dawn” operation against Libya. “The use of force against other countries became a steady trend in the U.S.... 

Not a warm welcome: The Obamas arrive in Brasilia today for a visit to promote trade links. Barack Obama’s visit to Brazil had a very unpromising start after police had to quell riots against the U.S. in Rio de Janeiro with rubber bullets and tear gas. The U.S. President landed in the capital of Brasilia with his wife and daughters, visiting the country on a mission to re-assert trade links with... 

100,000 Reported at Sanaa University Alone. Another day-of-rage in Yemen has given way to another record turnout amongst protesters nationwide, as around 100,000 were reported at Sanaa University, the site of daily protests and daily violent crackdowns in the capital city. But the protests of course were not confined to Sanaa, and massive rallies in cities like Taiz, Aden, and indeed elsewhere across... 

Police apparently used stun grenades and batons to disperse protesters. Police in Saudi Arabia have opened fire to disperse protesters in the eastern city of Qatif, a day before planned countrywide anti-government protests. Witnesses said police also beat demonstrators with batons injuring at least three people. The protesters, from the Shia minority, were demanding the release of prisoners they say... 

Protesters run during clashes with men in plain clothes front of the state security headquarters in downtown Cairo March 6, 2011. Men in plain clothes armed with swords and petrol bombs attacked protesters in Cairo on Sunday night during a demonstration demanding reform of security services with a reputation for brutality, witnesses said. Dozens of men wielding knives and machetes and hurling bricks... 

Saudi officials are aware of protests - sometimes focused at their country - building across the region. All protests and marches are to be banned in Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry has announced on state TV. Its statement said security forces would use all measures to prevent any attempt to disrupt public order. The announcement follows a series of protests by the kingdom’s Shia minority... 

Libyan rebels who are part of the forces against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi celebrate their victory in fighting against troops loyal to Gadhafi, in the oil town of Ras Lanuf, eastern Libya, Saturday, March 5, 2011. Witnesses say Libyan rebels have captured the oil port town of Ras Lanouf from pro-Moammar Gadhafi forces, their first military victory in what could be a long, westward march to the...