BBC news with Jerry Smit.
Syrian activists say government air strikes have destroyed a main pipeline supplying water to the city of Aleppo during a day of intense bombardment. Government forces were also reported to regain control of a
barracks
in the city. Activists say about 100 people have been killed in the latest violence across the country. The reports cannot be independently confirmed. Jim Muir has more details.
The break of the pipe lines obviously can cause problem it means that fresh water is not going to reach several quarters in Aleppo. There are conflicting activation that is what actually cause this
rupture
. There was a lot of heavy bombardment going on, and most of the footages you see are from activists so about the evidence probably goes in their version-it was caused by government bombardment. And it is hard to say how would be their interest to damage the water supply, however, the government side is accusing the rebels of blowing up a pumping station and causing this divulge even in the streets.
The Hong Kong government has
backed down
on its plans to introduce mandatory lessons on Chinese patriotism after tens of thousands of protesters
took to the streets
. Critics say the classes
whitewash
the history of the Communist party. The new chief executive of the territory C.Y Leung said schools would now have the right to choose whether to introduce the classes.