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BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrians woke on New Year's Day to countrywide aerial bombardment, while President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels fighting to topple him clashed on the outskirts of the capital.

Residents of Damascus entered the new year to the sound of artillery hitting southern and eastern districts that form a rebel-held crescent on the outskirts of the capital, the center of which is still firmly under government control.

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Syria's 22-month war shows no signs of stopping in new year.

Syrian military mounts offensive in suburb of Damascus.

Syrian Minister: Government open to peace talks.

The growing toll of Syria's civil war: 46,068 deaths and counting.

Iraq deaths down in 2012 but nation remains mired in 'low-level war'.

Report: Turkey, jailed Kurd leader discuss disarmament.

Turkey hits back at EU criticism over membership bid.

Saudi Arabia's riches conceal a growing problem of poverty.

Israel's Jewish population passes 6 million mark.

American aid helps Lebanon replant its Cedar forests.


Kim Jong-un calls for better ties with South Korea. North Korean leader seeks end to confrontation with South.

ASEAN leader to push consensus on South China Sea disputes.

Top Afghan negotiator optimistic over peace prospects.

Gunmen in Pakistan shoot dead seven aid workers near capital.

India mulls tougher anti-rape laws amid fresh protests.

North Korea cracks down on knowledge smugglers.

New York Times journalist expelled from China after paper published story exposing wealth of Prime Minister's family.

In Hong Kong, thousands protest China-backed leader.


Ivory Coast new year stampede kills dozens in Abidjan. About 60 crushed to death in Ivory Coast stadium stampede.

Al Qaeda digs in to defend 'new country' in Mali.

CAR rebels reject AU call for talks. Central African rebels threaten capital despite unity offer in CAR.

UN slaps sanctions on DR Congo rebels.

South Sudan willing to withdraw army from Sudan border: president.

Sudan: Over one million people under attack from government, says report.

Nigeria president compares unrest in nation to Syrian civil war and wonders about ‘end times’.


Europe’s debt crisis: No relief on the horizon.

Merkel calls for German patience as Euro crisis ‘far from over’.

Hollande refuses to back down on French super-tax.

France struggles to tackle New Year car torching.

Happy New Year, London! Fantastic firework display on the banks of the Thames lights up the capital's skyline to welcome 2013 in UK.

Armed raiders wielding handguns raid Paris Apple store and flee with £1MILLION worth of i-gadgets.

Diplomat: Russia won't lower gas price for Ukraine unless it joins Customs Union.


US Senate passes 'fiscal cliff' deal to avoid tax rises. It's up to the House: fiscal cliff faces Republican-controlled territory.

Fiscal crisis is the new normal in Washington.

Fiscal cliff deal: $1 in spending cuts for every $41 in tax increases.

Geithner tells Congress U.S. reaches debt limit. 3 more fiscal cliffs loom.

Venezuelan cabinet attends mass for Chavez's recovery.

Clinton suffers clot behind right ear, full recovery seen.


Al Qaeda offers $160,000 in gold to anyone who kills U.S. ambassador.

Al Qaeda has basically made its own country in Africa.

Report blames poor security, inadequate response in Benghazi attack.

Gitmo a lesson in U.S. pop culture for detainee.


Angry Birds, YouTube among top apps of 2012.

Insight: How Colombian drug traffickers used HSBC to launder money.

Three reasons for a financial crisis in 2013.