Are USA&UK-, SaudiArabia-, Turkey-, Qatar-, Israel-, Egypt- etc-sponsored terrorists in Syria "brutal"?! In addition, they are not very skillful in using gases, considering the massacres they realized since their inexperience...

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Today's Headlines Thursday, September 5, 2013

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Top News Brutality of Syrian Rebels Posing Dilemma in West By C. J. CHIVERS Many Syrian rebels have adopted some of the chillingly ruthless tactics of the government, raising the prospect that a military strike could strengthen extremists. Obama Faces Barrier in His Own Party on Syria By JEREMY W. PETERS Democrats say they are confronted with a difficult choice: go against the wishes of President Obama or defy voters who are overwhelmingly opposed to involving the United States in another unpredictable Middle East war. On the Edge of Poverty, at the Center of a Debate on Food Stamps By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG As lawmakers cast a fight over cuts to food stamps in terms of spending, budget analysts and hunger relief advocates warn of a spike in "food insecurity" among Americans. For more top news, go to NYTimes.com »

Editors' Picks MULTIMEDIA | Lens Blog A Veteran Reporter Reflects on a Distant War By RALPH BLUMENTHAL On the eve of a book and exhibits about the Vietnam War culled from Associated Press archives, Ralph Blumenthal reflects on covering the conflict's early years. OPINION | Op-Ed Contributor Not Very Giving By ROB REICH The problem with private donations to public schools.

QUOTATION OF THE DAY "I didn't set a red line. The world set a red line." PRESIDENT OBAMA, on conditions that might call for intervention in Syria's conflict.

World Split Senate Panel Approves Giving Obama Limited Authority on Syria By MARK LANDLER, JONATHAN WEISMAN and MICHAEL R. GORDON The 10-to-7 vote in the Foreign Relations Committee sets up a showdown next week in the full Senate on whether President Obama should be given the power to strike Syria. Rockets in Syrian Attack Carried Large Payload of Gas, Experts Say By WILLIAM J. BROAD Rockets delivering toxic sarin gas to neighborhoods around Damascus held up to 50 times more nerve agent than previously estimated, a study by weapons experts concluded. Questions of Policy and Leadership Dog Obama Before Meeting in Russia By STEVEN LEE MYERS President Obama's standing has undoubtedly suffered from recent turmoil over Syria and American spying, even though he can point to a strengthening economy. For more world news, go to NYTimes.com/World »

U.S. Albuquerque Becomes Latest Focal Point in Abortion Wars By ERIK ECKHOLM Operation Rescue, the militant anti-abortion group based in Kansas, is calling Albuquerque the "late-term abortion capital of the country." Clinton Urges Americans to Sign Up for Health Care Exchanges By ABBY GOODNOUGH and AMY CHOZICK Less than a month before the start of insurance shopping under the health care law, former President Bill Clinton's speech comes at a pivotal time for the Obama administration. V.A. to Provide Spousal Benefits to Gays, Administration Says By CHARLIE SAVAGE In letters to Congressional leaders, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said President Obama directed the executive branch to stop obeying a statute that limits such benefits to spouses "of the opposite sex." For more U.S. news, go to NYTimes.com/US »

Business Falling Economic Tide in India Is Exposing Its Chronic Troubles By KEITH BRADSHER As its boom ends, India suffers from a weak currency, soaring prices, neglected infrastructure and red tape.  Graphic: Missing Out India's Central Bank Chief May Have a Short Honeymoon By KEITH BRADSHER Glowing coverage of Raghuram Rajan, the new governor of the Reserve Bank of India, could be quickly eclipsed by escalating economic troubles. Bezos Is a Hit in a Washington Post Newsroom Visit By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY and MICHAEL D. SHEAR Jeffrey P. Bezos assured editors and reporters of his commitment to preserving quality journalism at the newspaper, which he is buying for $250 million. The Washington Post: Years of Triumph and Siege For more business news, go to NYTimes.com/Business »

Sports In San Francisco, It's Rich Club, Poor Club By JOHN BRANCH The exclusive St. Francis Yacht Club has a history of winning every major sailing race, except the biggest one, which was won by its less-distinguished neighbor, the Golden Gate Yacht Club. Oracle Down 2 Races Before America's Cup Starts Yankees 6, White Sox 5 The Yankees Sweat Out a Sweep, With Tougher Opponents Up Next By JORGE ARANGURE Jr. With his best outing in nearly three months, C. C. Sabathia helped the Yankees head into a treacherous slate of games with a win over the White Sox, whose rally fell short. Box Score Nadal Rolls to Semifinals by Thrashing Robredo By DAVID WALDSTEIN and LYNN ZINSER After missing last year's Open, Rafael Nadal has stormed through his draw and improved his record on hardcourts this year to 20-0. For more sports news, go to NYTimes.com/Sports »

Arts Images of the Vietnam War That Defined an Era By RALPH BLUMENTHAL A retrospective book and exhibitions highlight war photographs that turned the tide of public opinion. Lens: A Reporter Reflects on a Distant War Their Next Big Thing Is Actually Small By ALLAN KOZINN The stage and film directors Doug Fitch and Edouard Getaz are starting a Web series, "Hot Culture," starring a pushy puppet and a few famous names.  Video A Critic of a Design Museum Will Lead It By ROBIN POGREBIN Glenn Adamson, a researcher without the typical executive experience, wrote in 2011 that the museum he will soon lead "has little more than indiscrimination to call its own." For more arts news, go to NYTimes.com/Arts »

Obituaries Judith Daniels, Editor of Savvy Magazine, Dies at 74 By MARGALIT FOX Ms. Daniels, who saw a big gap in the magazine industry, was the first to focus on the emerging class of high-earning professional women. Martin L. Gross, Critic of Big Government, Dies at 88 By WILLIAM YARDLEY Mr. Gross, who was embraced by supporters of the Tea Party, took aim at spending and taxation with books like "The Government Racket: Washington Waste From A to Z."

Fashion & Style Is New York Fashion Week Near the End of the Runway? By ERIC WILSON The Lincoln Center site draws fire from many directions, as the schedule gets busier and crowds grow unwieldly. On the Runway Blog Enter the New Designer Stars at New York Fashion Week (or So They Hope) By ERIC WILSON This Fashion Week is chockablock with new names. Encounters Kenneth Cole Embraces Change By MARY BILLARD The designer Kenneth Cole has embraced social network platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Vine. For more fashion news, go to NYTimes.com/Fashion »

Today's Video Video: Obama Pushes for Intervention in Syria President Obama laid out his case for military intervention in Syria at a news conference with the Swedish prime minister in Stockholm. Video: 100 Seconds With Pogue: AvantGrand Piano The Times's David Pogue breaks down Yamaha's latest AvantGrand hybrid piano. Video: Countdown to Fashion Week - Final Touch In the final installment of Countdown to Fashion Week, the designer Marissa Webb chooses hair and makeup to create strong but accessible looks for her collection. For more video, go to NYTimes.com/Video »

Editorials Editorial The Stakes in Congress By THE EDITORIAL BOARD President Obama walks a difficult line in seeking military action on Syria. The American public deserves more answers. Editorial Uninsured in Texas and Florida By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Two states with the worst records for health coverage see no reason to do much about it. Editorial Last Call in the Race for Mayor By THE EDITORIAL BOARD To make an informed decision in the primary election, focus on the problems that remain after Mayor Bloomberg is gone. For more opinion, go to NYTimes.com/Opinion »

Op-Ed Op-Ed Columnist The Era of Disbelief By CHARLES M. BLOW This time, Americans are questioning everything - as they should. Columnist Page Op-Ed Columnist Off to the Mayoral Races By GAIL COLLINS From kittens on the rails to Central Park carriage horses, in New York this year, we have four-legged issues. Columnist Page Op-Ed Columnist The Right Questions on Syria By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF Sitting on our hands as Syrians are slaughtered is not "pro-peace." Columnist Page | Blog For more opinion, go to NYTimes.com/Opinion »

ON THIS DAY On Sept. 5, 1972, Palestinian terrorists attacked the Israeli Olympic team at the summer games in Munich; 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, five terrorists and a police officer were killed. See this Front Page | Buy this Front Page

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