Sad news from the Nation's Greg Mitchell...

Anthony Shadid, 43, perhaps the most respected U.S. reporter covering numerous wars and battles zones throughout the Middle East and North Afrida in the past dozen years, died today in Syria. He reportedly suffered an asthma attack. His body was then carried across the border to Turkey by his New York Times colleague, photographer Tyler Hicks.

Shadid won two Pulitizers for his coverage while with The Washington Post and had just been nominated for this year’s prize by the Times. HIs last article for the paper was on turmoil in Libya.

This is certain to be one of the biggest losses to journalism in years. Shadid, who spoke fluent Arabic, had long provided perhaps the most valuable coverage of the so-called “Arab streets.” He once said no story was worth dying for, but some were worth taking big risks for, and recently indicated that Syria was one such story.

He leaves a wife and two children behind. Condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

I received this video from Syria just yesterday that shows thick black smoke billowing from a residential area of Homs during an attack on an oil pipeline that runs through the city. The United Nation's General Assembly today voted for a resolution backing an Arab League plan that calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down, and condemns human rights violations by his regime.