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morphed into civil war that's also sent millions fleeing for their lives and turned once-prosperous cities into rubble-strewn warzones.
• The state-run SANA news agency said the mortar strike late Thursday killed an unspecific number of people. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on activists on the ground for its reports, said the shelling targeted an "electoral tent" where Assad's supporters had gathered and killed 21 people, including 11 civilians.
• There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. Rebels trying to overthrow Assad frequently fire mortar shells into Syria's major cities, including the capital, Damascus, from opposition-held suburbs.
• The attack underscores concerns that rebels will step up attacks against government strongholds in the run-up to the election to disrupt the voting.
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• YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- The United Nations children's agency has defended a decision to pay nearly $90,000 a month for its new office in Myanmar -- a three-story house owned by the family of an ex-army general who was slapped with U.S. sanctions during the country's dictatorship.
• UNICEF said in a press release Thursday it carried out an "extensive search," looking at more than 40 locations, before signing the deal.
• Without mentioning the name of the Maj. Gen. Nyunt Tin -- whose family owns the property -- UNICEF said he no longer holds public office and was not currently subject to criminal charges or international sanctions.
• Nyunt Tin was one of the most powerful ministers under the former junta regime led by Than Shwe.
• Myanmar, which only recently emerged from half-century of military rule, has implemented sweeping reforms since handing power to a nominally civilian government three years ago.
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• DETROIT (AP) -- When they pull up to a gas station these days, Detroit drivers are looking beyond the price per gallon at a far more threatening concern: carjack

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