Syrian military officers inspect a damaged bus following a deadly explosion on May 23, 2012. STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: There are fears of an al Qaeda presence in Syria Government security forces have committed most of the abuses, the report says The government now faces "armed and well-organized fighters" The report is the latest by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria (CNN) -- The Syrian conflict has become "increasingly militarized" as killings and torture by Syrian security forces and anti-government fighters raged this spring, a U.N. panel reported Thursday. "Gross violations continue unabated," said the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, with most "serious human rights violations" committed by regime forces. "Whereas government forces had previously been responding primarily to demonstrations, they now ... Continue reading →

STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: NATO's secretary general says a new training and advising mission will come in 2015 President Obama says the Afghan war will end when troops leave in 2014 Afghan President Hamid Karzai backs the plan that calls for all troops to leave by 2014 NATO leaders conclude a two-day summit in Chicago Chicago (CNN) -- NATO leaders signed off Monday on President Barack Obama's exit strategy from Afghanistan that calls for an end to combat operations next year and the withdrawal of the U.S.-led international military force by the end of 2014. Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters at the conclusion of a two-day summit of the alliance leaders that the plan calls for handing over security responsibilities to Afghan forces in ... Continue reading →

Without a knock, the office door flies open. She barges into the room, a perfumed tornado disrupting every conversation and worker in her path. Wearing skinny jeans, UGG knockoff boots and a pea coat, she carries the swagger of any self-absorbed American teen. Her long dark hair flows thick, smooth and enviable. Her makeup is impeccable -- barring one small flaw. It doesn’t perfectly match the shade of her prosthetic nose. Aesha watches Bollywood films on her computer but also tunes into videos about her past and the torture of other women. Only because of her nose do I realize who this is: the Afghan woman whose disfigured face graced the August 9, 2010, cover of Time magazine. Her Taliban husband and in-laws punished her ... Continue reading →

STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: Chen Guangcheng and his family are en route to New York, the State Department says NEW: Chen will be able to pursue his studies when he reaches the U.S. Chen's escape from house arrest and refuge in the U.S. Embassy caused diplomatic tensions China allowed the blind human rights activist to apply to study abroad Beijing (CNN) -- Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese human rights activist who ignited a diplomatic frenzy when he escaped house arrest last month, has left Beijing airport Saturday on a flight bound for New York. He and his family boarded a United flight from Beijing to Newark International Airport which is due to arrive Saturday evening in New York. The plane took off nearly two hours later than ... Continue reading →

Opposition: Girl, 2 others killed by regime at Syrian camp By the CNN Wire Staff updated 6:47 AM EDT, Wed May 16, 2012 An image grab from Youtube on May 15, 2012 allegedly shows a UN observers convoy after a roadside bomb exploded. STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: Opposition group: The camp is for displaced residents from Golan Heights Six people are reportedly killed across Syria on Wednesday 63 people were killed Tuesday, opposition activists say The government says scores of people are killed or hurt by a terrorist bomb in Banyas (CNN) -- Three people, including a young girl, were killed Wednesday when Syrian government forces shelled a camp for displaced residents, opposition activists said. The camp in Daraa is for displaced Syrians from the Golan ... Continue reading →

By Elise Labott, CNN Fifteen months into the crisis in Syria, and the Obama administration is, as one U.S. official describes it, in "a holding pattern," waiting for Russia to abandon its support for President Bashar al-Assad, waiting for sanctions to topple the economy and waiting for an organized Syrian opposition to present a coherent vision for a post-Assad Syria. As the U.S. waits for what many believe is the inevitable failure of a United Nations-backed plan, American officials say they would rather U.N.-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan to pronounce his diplomatic efforts a failure himself. Recommended– Syria: the elephant in the room amid military exercise in Jordan Senior officials say the international monitors provided for in the current agreement with the Syrian government, ... Continue reading →

General Ratko Mladic, center, commander of Serbian forces in Bosnia, arrives at Sarajevo airport on August 10, 1993 to negotiate the withdrawal of his troops from Mount Igman. Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, right, confers with his military chief during a meeting with the press in Pale on August 5, 1993. Ratko Mladic talks to a Serbian soldier on February 15, 1994 at Lukavica barracks near Sarajevo six days before the NATO ultimatum. David Scheffer, U.S. Ambassador at large for war crimes points to a wanted poster showing Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Karadzic and Mladic in March 2000. A Muslim woman and her husband are treated in July 1995 for injuries inflicted on them by Serb forces as they fled Srebrenica. The man died shortly ... Continue reading →

General Ratko Mladic, center, commander of Serbian forces in Bosnia, arrives at Sarajevo airport on August 10, 1993 to negotiate the withdrawal of his troops from Mount Igman. Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, right, confers with his military chief during a meeting with the press in Pale on August 5, 1993. Ratko Mladic talks to a Serbian soldier on February 15, 1994 at Lukavica barracks near Sarajevo six days before the NATO ultimatum. David Scheffer, U.S. Ambassador at large for war crimes points to a wanted poster showing Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Karadzic and Mladic in March 2000. A Muslim woman and her husband are treated in July 1995 for injuries inflicted on them by Serb forces as they fled Srebrenica. The man died shortly ... Continue reading →

Manchester City win Premier League title in thrilling finale By John Sinnott updated 12:27 PM EDT, Sun May 13, 2012 Manchester City's Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta celebrates after scoring in the final game of the EPL. London (CNN) -- Manchester City won their first league title in 44 years to deny rivals Manchester United a 20th league championship in a gripping conclusion to the English Premier League season. Defending champions United, who secured a 1-0 away win at Sunderland thanks to a Wayne Rooney goal, had looked on course to win the title before City scored two stoppage-time goals to fashion an improbable 3-2 home victory against Queens Park Rangers. City had led the table on goal difference at the start of Sunday and Pablo ... Continue reading →