Following repeated efforts, UN observers were unable to reach the Syrian town of al-Haffeh today as angry crowds surrounded their vehicles, stopping them from proceeding any further, after which they were shot at as they departed.

“The crowd, who appeared to be residents of the area, hurled stones and metal rods at the UN vehicles. The UN observers turned back,” the spokesperson for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), Sausan Ghosheh, said today.

Three FDNY Firehouses, Including Two in the Bronx and One in Queens, Two Hotels and a Former Bank in Manhattan Are Symbols of New York City’s Rapid Growth at the Start of the 20th Century.

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission today unanimously gave landmark status to three firehouses, two hotels and a former bank, citing their architectural distinction and important roles they played in the City during a period of intense growth shortly after the consolidation of the five boroughs in 1898.

US Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Carter Strickland, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, representatives from the Wynwood Gardens Civic Association, and concerned residents toured flood-prone areas of Woodside as part of ongoing efforts between the community and DEP to find ways to mitigate flooding problems in the area.

ARIZONA VOTERS' SPECIAL ELECTION. Replacing US Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
Democrats hope to keep the US House seat of former US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Meanwhile, Virginia, Nevada, N. Dakota, Maine, Nevada and South Carolina are holding primary elections.

WESTERN WILDFIRES BURN OUT OF CONTROL. Colorado, New Mexico.
U.S. Forest Service adds aircraft in an attempt to contain blazes, which have destroyed approximately 118 structures.

THOUSANDS RUSSIANS PROTEST. Moscow Anti-Putin Protesters.

Amidst reports of heavy fighting, United Nations observers in Syria are concerned over the escalation of violence in the city of Homs, a Syrian opposition stronghold.

“UN observers reported heavy fighting in Rastan and Talbiseh, north of the city, with artillery and mortar shelling, as well as firing from helicopters, machine guns and smaller arms,” the spokesperson for the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), Sausan Ghosheh, said in a statement today.