here is no doubt here that chemical weapons were used on a massive scale on August 21st outside of Damascus. There is also very little doubt and should be no doubt for anyone who approaches this logically that the Syrian regime is responsible for the use of chemical weapons on August 21st outside of Damascus.?

But Syria strongly denies it was behind that attack, so do Russia and China -- UN Security Council members who are likely to block the international body from authorizing military strikes on Syria.

Meanwhile, the possibility of Western military action is rattling US markets. Wall Street fell for a second day; S&P 500 is down more than 1%; NASDAQ nearly 2%; Brent and US crude rose amid concerns that oil supplies could be affected.

The second day of sentencing is under way in Texas in the trial of Army Major Nidal Hassan. The convicted solider who had seldom spoken during his trial may actually speak today. From member station KUT, Terence Henry has more.

Hassan had earlier told the judge that he would address the court a day after survivors and family members had testified. But during proceedings, he surprised the court and said he was ready to speak. Hassan told the judge he does not intend to introduce any evidence or call any witnesses during his testimony. Government prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Hassan, who was found guilty of murdering 13 people and wounding 32 at the Fort Hood military base in 2009. If he receives a death sentence, there would still be an automatic appeals process that could take years. From NPR News, I Terence Henry at Fort Hood.

One of the largest fires in recent California history is covering more territory this day. Overnight it grew to about 280 square miles in and around Yosemite National Park, but it is now about 20% contained. San Francisco power and water supply is threatened. For that reason, the city is under a state of emergency. The Rim Fire also threatens the area's historic giant sequoias.

A hearing took place today to determine whether three former US Naval Academy football players should be court-martialed on charges they sexually assaulted a female midshipman. Today Midshipmen Eric Graham, Josh Tate and Tra'ves Bush appeared at proceedings at the Washington Navy Yard. They were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Minneapolis last year and lying about it.

At last check on Wall Street, Dow was down 142 points at 14,804. This is NPR News.

A late summer heat wave on the Northern Plains is causing temperatures and heat indices to reach triple digits at a time when many schools are beginning classes. South Dakota Public Broadcasting Gary Ellenbolt has more.

High school football teams across South Dakota are getting ready for their first games this weekend. Coaches are getting their players ready in what some officials say could be the hottest final week of August on record. One coach adjusting for the hot weather is Andrew Homan, head football coach at Vermillion High School.he rest of the week we're just gonna go half-shelled, which just helmets and shoulder pads. And today is kind of be more of a mental day. Of course we will get our trainer that does a great job watching and make(sic) sure we get our water breaks or if she sees a kid, can pull him aside.?

Homan Vermillion Tanagers have one advantage no other team in the state can claim: On days when it not at news, he can move the team to the University of South Dakota's indoor field. Temperatures are expected to reach 90 to 100 degrees each day this week. For NPR News, I Gary Ellenbolt in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Turning to the US economy, consumers are expressing more confidence in the economy's outlook. The Conference Board confidence index rose to 81.5 this month. That close to a five-and-half-year high. Consumers are more optimistic about the economy's future several months ahead, but the private research group says people are still a bit more reserved about the current state of affairs. Home prices, meanwhile, are showing signs of slowing in most markets month-to-month that is, and that may be reflecting the impact of rising mortgage rates in the country. Standard & Poor Case-Shiller Price Index shows 14 of 20 cities surveyed posted smaller gains in June compared with the month before, even though June is the middle of the summer buying season.