The Syrian army has launched fresh mortar and rocket attacks

The Syrian army has launched fresh mortar and rocket attacks in the city of Homs, as the government continues a push aimed at crushing rebel forces. Activists say at least 50 people have been killed on Thursday. Scores have died since the assault began last week. Homs, Syria's third-largest city, has been a leading focus of unrest in the 11-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule. UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the "appalling brutality" of the onslaught. The international community is struggling to find a way to resolve the crisis after Russia and China blocked a UN resolution drafted by Arab and European countries on Saturday. Speaking at the UN in New York on Wednesday, Mr Ban said the failure to agree a UN resolution on Syria had encouraged Damascus. I fear that the appalling brutality we are witnessing in Homs, with heavy weapons firing into civilian neighbourhoods, is a grim harbinger of worse to come. He also said the Arab League was hoping to revive a monitoring mission in Syria, which collapsed last month amid the escalating violence.