Civilian casualties

Scientists are drilling two miles beneath Antarctica to reach a lake cut off from the world for 500,000 years. It could reveal clues to the earth’s past climate as well as new life forms yet unseen.

UK officials fly to Nepal to help investigate the cause of a plane crash that killed 19, including seven British trekkers bound for Mount Everest. Nepal says pilot error is likely.

UN observers set out on another field trip on Saturday amid reports that 17 people were killed in overnight shelling in the Syrian town of Deraa, where the uprising began 15 months ago.

Head-butting MP Eric Joyce regrets his punch-up in parliament’s “Strangers Bar” but admits he’s probably not as remorseful as he should be.

Syria agrees on the terms of a ceasefire monitoring mission which will see more United Nations observers deployed.

As a ceasefire between Syrian government troops and rebel forces comes into effect, there are reports from both sides of continuing violence, and tanks remain stationed in cities across the country.

A series of leaked emails reveals how President Bashar al-Assad took advice from Iran on countering a revolt against his regime while his wife spends tens of thousands on luxury shopping sprees.

A government-appointed panel finds the Sri Lankan military did not target civilians in the last stages of the civil war, but admits for the first time a “considerable” number were killed in crossfire.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad defiantly denies ordering his troops to kill peaceful demonstrators saying only a “crazy leader” kills his own people, during an interview with US broadcaster ABC.

The president of the World Diamond Council tells Channel 4 News the Kimberley process means consumers know their diamonds are not from conflict areas – but campaigners disagree as they pull out.

Thousands of people are being illegally jailed and abused by Libya’s ex-rebels, a UN report says. Channel 4 News speaks to a Ghanaian woman who has seen friends detained or die trying to flee Libya.

An official inquiry into the unrest that killed 35 finds that security forces used widespread torture. But the report doesn’t go far enough, a human rights activist tells Channel 4 News.

The Army Council is said to be considering the Egyptian cabinet’s offer of resignation, as reports suggest Egyptian troops have used live ammunition against protesters.

Sri Lanka adds three years to a former army chief’s jail sentence for “making false allegations” that the defence secretary ordered government forces to commit war crimes.

As the King of Jordan says President Assad should step down and Syria is suspended from the Arab League, analysts tell Channel 4 News Syria’s growing isolation may be “a decisive blow” to the regime.