Syria Continues Crackdown; UN to Meet for 2nd Day

The first day of Ramadan brought no relief for protesters in Syria: At least 24 were killed yesterday, and the UN Security Council will hold a second day of talks on the situation today. Yesterday's violence included President Bashar al-Assad's tanks continuing to shell the city of Hama, and an activist says 10 of those killed were involved in protests after special evening prayers. Others were wounded, and more than 150 were hauled in for questioning, the Telegraph reports.

The Security Council's first emergency session ended without an agreement. While Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal have called for a formal condemnation of the crackdown, Russia, China, Brazil, India, and South Africa have spoken out in the past against a resolution. Diplomats say the most likely decision will be a statement that does not include a warning of action by the UN, although after the recent violence there is more widespread concern from all countries on the council. (More Syria stories.)