Nearly 1,429 dead, France plans action
According to reports from the Washington Post, it is believed that nearly 1,429 people were killed in the attack interpreted as chemical warfare that occured on Aug. 21 outside Damascus. It is still uncertain whether chemical warfare was the cause of these nearly 1500 deaths. Upon further investigation, a U.S. intelligence analysis allegedly showed evidence the attack was brought on by the government itself. The investigation reports the government chose to use chemical warfare just three days before the attack was launched and now seems to be taking suspicious actions to cover their tracks. The report shows missiles were launched from positions that were being held by the Syrian government. The government tried to cover their tracks by heavily increasing their normal artillery fire on the rebel-held suburbs. The Los Angeles Times indicates British Prime Minister David Cameron’s proposal to take millitary action against Syria was turned down by Parliament, but France’s President Francois Hollande said France still continues to sanction President Bashar Assad’s regime. Hollande said in an interview with the French daily, Le Monde, “The chemical massacre of Damascus cannot and must not remain unpunished; there are few countries with the capacities to inflict sanctions with the appropriate means … France is among those. It is ready.” Russia, China and Iran fear that any outside involvement will cause the war to spread through the Middle East.

Georgia man goes on trial for the murder of baby
USA Today online reported De’Marquise Elkins, 18, was found guilty for the murder of 13 month old baby Antonio Santiago on March 21 in Brunswick, Georgia. Elkins killed the infant in an attempted murder in which mother Sherry West was also shot. West testified she was walking home on the morning of March 21 when an armed gun man and accomplice 15 year old Dominique Lang – still awaiting trial – demanded she give them her purse. When West repeatedly told Elkins she had no money, he first fired a warning shot, then fired into West’s leg and shot the baby between the eyes with .22 caliber revolver. Elkins was found guilty of 11 counts, and his mother was also found guilty of tampering with evidence. Elkins’ attorney requested bond while they make an appeal, but was denied.

56 year old Grandmother loses second appeal, faces execution
Lindsay Sandiford was arrested back in January for drug smuggling, according to cnn.com. The 56 year old grandmother was stopped at Ngurah Rai International airport in Bali by customs where she was found to have been transporting 2.6 million dollars’ worth of cocaine to the province of Indonesia. Sandiford was given the death penalty for her crimes despite the fact prosecutors were only asking for 15 years. Sandiford who was only moving the drugs, worked with officials to lead to arrest of the other suspects who were given much lighter sentences. Sandiford’s first appeal was made in April, and after the denial of her second, her lawyer says they have two options: judicial review or seeking clemency. The decision is now up to Sandiford.