Another 27 Killed in Syria Protests

Human rights activists say at least 27 people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed in Syria today during yet another round of government protests. Thousands flooded streets across the country, defying an unrelenting crackdown that has failed to crush a two-month uprising. Today's turnout—and the now-familiar, deadly response by the regime—was the latest sign the conflict could be moving toward a dangerous stalemate with neither side able to tip the scales.

"We, as young activists, are very optimistic," said a protest organizer in Damascus, which saw at least four separate demonstrations today. The crushing security response came despite calls a day earlier from President Obama that Assad should lead his country to democracy or "get out of the way." Syria's official news agency said Obama's admonition amounted to "incitement." The government also has shrugged off new US sanctions. (More Syria protests stories.)