Question: Does the UN really believe that anyone takes them seriously? Reuters: Clashes flared across Syria on Thursday, opposition activists said, a day after the U.N. Security Council had called on all sides to stop fighting and seek a negotiated settlement to the year-long uprising. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the Council's unanimous statement had sent a clear message to Syria to end all violence, but the appeal had little impact on the ground, where rebels are seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad. Opposition sources said Syrian tanks had heavily shelled a large neighbourhood in the city of Hama on Thursday after fighting between Free Syrian Army rebels and pro-Assad forces. The shelling destroyed houses in the Arbaeen neighbourhood of northeast Hama, which has been a centre of revolt. Opposition sources said at least 20 people had been killed in army attacks there in the last two days. It is impossible to verify reports from Syria because authorities have...(Read Full Post)