* American and British lawmakers try to slow their countries' increasingly fast march toward a strike on Syria. * From the Onion, "Syria Conflict Intensifies As Bears Enter War." * South Korean paper reports Kim Jong Un's ex-girlfriend has been executed for violating North Korea's
* UN weapons inspectors will leave Syria on Saturday, one day ahead of schedule. * White paper: Military interventions in favor of the rebel faction tend to increase government killings of civilians by about 40%. * Group proposes naming storms after lawmakers who deny climate change. * In South Africa, synthetic drugs with ingredients
* At the front lines of the chemical attacks in Syria. * Another look at the "red line": When chemical weapons are worse than conventional killing. * An internal debate over bombing Syria. * The pro-Assad Syrian Electronic Army takes down the New York Times, attacks Twitter and HuffPo in the
* Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson credited for encouraging King to speak about his dream. * Related: Jackson sings "Closer Walk With Thee" at the Newport Jazz Festival, 1970. * California rim fire that threatens to disrupt Yosemite and San Francisco water supply can be seen from outer space. * In Thailand, "
* "While unceasingly observing and witnessing the heartbreaking bloodshed," Syrian Comment explains why intervention isn't viable. * One of America's most respected bankruptcy lawyers moonlights as a new-age healer, claiming his "energy hand" works. * If you are what you do, what are you
* UK draws up contingency plans for military action in Syria; Russia warns of "catastrophic consequences." * Kerry's speech marked the harshest American condemnation of the slaughter in Syria to date; it didn't mean we're going to war. * Assad's use of chemical
* The Guardian will grant the New York Times access to some of its trove of Snowden documents. * Der Spiegel releases Snowden documents that show the NSA hacked into foreign nations' videoconferences at the UN. * At a planned Upper West Side luxury tower, rich and poor occupants will have separate
* Documents show the Reagan administration knew of, but never disclosed, Saddam's widespread use of chemical weapons. * This was the birth of the Black Chamber, the NSA's earliest predecessor, and it would be hidden in the nondescript brownstone. * Coptic Christians in Egypt face an uncertain future. * Related:
* Despite warnings, when doctors prescribe antibiotics, they usually prescribe big—and often shouldn't prescribe at all. * Dentist buys one of John Lennon's teeth at auction, hopes to clone the late Beatle. * Regarding Manziel, in defense of NCAA rules: Most of the athletes actually want an education.
* Assessing the media's trouble with pronouns after Bradley Manning became Chelsea Manning. * Chelsea Manning's statement on day of sentencing. * American photographer tells of torture and seven months' imprisonment with jihadi rebel fighters in Syria. * Photojournalist gang-raped in Mumbai. * No one is going to put
