complicit
, they said, in the embezzlement of public funds. Ms Lagarde has always denied any wrongdoing or any suggestion she profited personally.
Syrian activists say the city of Hama is suffering severe food and medical shortages after five days of being besieged by government forces. The activists say 30 people were killed on Wednesday when troops backed by tanks retook control of the city centre. Jim Muir reports from neighbouring Lebanon.
Despite the army assault, Hama remains
defiant
with protests like this breaking out after nighttime prayers for the fasting month of Ramadan. In addition to water and electricity being
cut off
, the blackout on
virtually
all communication with Hama has meant that very little is known about the storming of the city by troops and tanks, and the number of casualties involved. In the meantime, residents speak of regime militia shooting at anything that moves in the streets, and they say they are having to bury their dead in gardens and public parks for fear of venturing to cemeteries.
The government of Libya says it now fully controls the western frontline town of Zlitan. On Wednesday, government troops announced a major offensive against rebels in the town, but foreign journalists who've been driven there by officials say there's no sign of the insurgents.
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The Israeli government has given final approval for more than 900 new homes in occupied East Jerusalem. The move to build houses for Jewish families in the settlement of Har Homa has been criticised by peace groups as cynical. They say it'll cut off the Palestinian town of Bethlehem from Arab areas of East Jerusalem, but the government says it'll help address Israel's housing shortage.