It was a busy week for tablet-makers. Microsoft started selling its new Surface tablet ahead of the release of Windows 8. Other manufacturers, such as Taiwan’s Asus, introduced snazzier versions of their devices, which will also work on the first new Windows operating system in three years. Not to be outshone, Apple launched the long-awaited mini-iPad, which is two-thirds the size of its bigger brother. Product reviews abounded, with some wondering if, with a starting price of $329, the smaller iPad is too pricey to compete against similar Android tablets and Amazon’s Kindle Fire. See article

Lebanon was on the brink after theSyrian regime was widely blamed for a huge bomb in Beirut that killed Brigadier-General Wissam Hassan, the head of internal security, and seven others. Ten people died in sectarian clashes following the explosion. See article