Cheat Sheet - Syria’s Secret Weapons of Mass Destruction

May 01, 2014 RISKY BUSINESS 1. Syria's Secret Weapons of Mass Destruction Despite a U.S.-led effort to disarm Syria, intelligence officials believe the regime has an undeclared arsenal of chemical weapons, including chlorine bombs and nerve gasses. What's more, Assad has a serious biological-weapons program that hasn't been acknowledged or inspected at all. Christopher Dickey and Noah Shachtman report. Read it at The Daily Beast it takes a big man 2. Rob Ford Seeks Help for Substance Abuse After a new video surfaced of him allegedly smoking crack, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford announced Wednesday he would seek treatment for substance abuse. Ford said he is "ready to take a break" from his reelection campaign (though he'll stay on the ballot) and "go get help." The Globe and Mail reports the new video was filmed in Ford's sister's home this past Saturday morning. Of course, Ford previously laughed off the idea of rehab. Read it at The Toronto Sun TALE OF WOE 3. Why Sinn Fein's Boss Surrendered For more than four decades, one of the most cold-blooded and pitiless killings in Northern Ireland's history has been hanging over Sinn Fein boss Gerry Adams. He stands accused of being behind the murder of a widowed mother of 10 for being an informant, and on Wednesday he turned in to police. His arrest, says Ed Moloney, is a calculated gamble to clear his name, and it began with the Obama Justice Department. Read it at The Daily Beast BITTER FEUD 4. Dems Hit GOP for Blocking Minimum-Wage Hike Shortly after losing a vote on increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 on Wednesday, Democrats began hitting out at the GOP, making it clear that they will seek to use this as an election issue. "If there's any good news here, it's that Republicans in Congress don't get the last word on this issue, or any issue. You do, the American people, the voters," declared President Obama. He also accused the GOP of voting down the bill for political reasons. Democrats in the Senate, from Harry Reid to Tom Harkin, whacked the GOP for its filibuster. The measure, which needed 60 votes to go ahead, was defeated 54 to 42. The GOP seemed to catch on, with Republican Senate Whip John Cornyn asserting, "This is all about politics. This is all about trying to make this side of the aisle look bad and hardhearted." Read it at The New York Times GOTCHA! 5. Ukraine Seizes Russian Military Attaché As armed uprisings in towns and cities across Ukraine continue, the Ukraine government said Thursday that it had detained the military attaché from Russia to Kiev on accusations of spying, and told him to get out. Ukraine has accused Russia of being behind the uprisings in its eastern half, which have been led by well-organized, armed men in masks and military fatigues. Russia has denied being behind the rebellions. "The military-naval attaché of the embassy of the Russian Federation in Ukraine is declared persona non grata in connection with his actions, which are not in accordance with his diplomatic status," Ukraine's foreign ministry declared. Read it at Reuters NOT AGAIN Deadly Attack on Chinese Train Station Echoes March's mass stabbing. THE ROCK Two Inmates Dead in Jail Collapse Reportedly caused by gas explosion. HOW MUCH? Illinois GOP Hates Obama Library Offer Objects to $100 million in state money. WHILE WE'RE AT IT Reid: NFL Should Follow NBA on Racism Over Washington Redskins name. HOW ROMANTIC New Cobain Letter Mocks Courtney Love Note kept in his wallet released by Seattle police. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. April's Best Viral Videos From the 'Lion King' cast performing impromptu on a plane to an epic April Fool's Day prank, here's our countdown of this month's buzziest videos. More Videos Inside the Bizarre World of 'Bronies' by Kevin Fallon The Art World's New Gang War by Anthony Haden-Guest Couples Who Sizzle and Fizzle Onscreen by Amy Zimmerman

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