The Labwani verdict comes a week after a ground-breaking meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a summit in Egypt - the first time the two countries held such high-level talks since the death of Mr Hariri in 2005.

BBC: NEWS | Middle East | Syrian reformer 'jailed 12 years'

It is the first time the prestigious art prize has been held in Northern Ireland, and hopes are high in next year's City of Culture that it will be a big hit.

BBC: FILMS OF 2013 - Neil Smith

He held his pipes, high over his head at first to keep them from the wet (for while whisky was said to be good for the bag, salt water wasn't), then cradled in his arms to play.

ECONOMIST: Bill Millin

When the story about Prisoner X first emerged, Israeli media said the unidentified man was being held incommunicado at Ayalon high-security prison in Ramle, central Israel.

BBC: Australia orders review into Israel Prisoner X case

When the story about Prisoner X first emerged, Israeli media said the unidentified man was being held in isolation at Ayalon high-security prison in Ramle, central Israel.

BBC: Israel's mystery Prisoner X 'was Australian Ben Zygier'

Domestic issues aside, Toure is looking ahead to 2010, when the World Cup will be held in Africa for the first time in its history -- a tournament in which the powerful midfielder has high hopes for his national side, Ivory Coast.

CNN: Toure fears resurgent Real Madrid

While Shays-Meehan is still held in high regard among many Democrats and Republicans, the House leadership has changed its tact this year -- using the First Amendment argument behind the Ney-Wynn bill to woo members of the congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses.

CNN: House members cast eyes toward finance debate