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Syrian Rebels Fear Radicals May Hijack Revolt

Credit Bulent Kilic / AFP/Getty Images

Syrian rebels pose after seizing control of the Bab al-Hawa border post on the Syrian-Turkey border on July 20. Now, the rebels are facing a new challenge: radical Islamists, who they say do not represent them.

Credit STR / Reuters /Landov

Islamist fighters carry their flag during the funeral of a fellow fighter who died during clashes on Sunday, outside Aleppo in northern Syria. A similar flag, raised over the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, was at the heart of a dispute that highlights the growing tension between homegrown Syrian rebels and radical Islamists who have flowed into the country.

By Deborah Amos

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 7:09 pm

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Homegrown rebels have done most of the fighting against the Syrian government troops. But Islamist militants from abroad, including some with links to al-Qaida, are now joining the fight against the government in growing numbers.

The local rebels are not pleased with this development, and there is growing tension between the groups that share a desire to oust President Bashar Assad but little else.

Until a few weeks ago, the border crossing at Bab al-Hawa on Syria's northern frontier with Turkey was the site of a training camp for a militant Islamist group.

8:52 am

Wed September 19, 2012

U.S. Explodes Atomic Bombs Near Beers To See If They Are Safe To Drink

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Credit National Technical Information Service via Alex Wellerstein

Credit Mountain Ash via Flickr

Credit National Technical Information Service via Alex Wellerstein

By Robert Krulwich

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 3:34 pm

So you're minding your own business when all of a sudden, a nuclear bomb goes off, there's a shock wave, fires all around, general destruction and you, having somehow survived, need a drink. What can you do? There is no running water, not where you are. But there is a convenience store. It's been crushed by the shock wave, but there are still bottles of beer, Coke and diet soda intact on the floor.

So you wonder: Can I grab one of those beers and gulp it down? Or is it too radioactive? And what about taste? If I drink it, will it taste OK?

8:30 am

Wed September 19, 2012

Housing Starts Rose Again In August, Pace Remains Well Above Previous Years

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Construction that was underway this summer in San Mateo, Calif.

By Mark Memmott

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 9:30 am

(This post was updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.)

In the morning's second sign of strength in the housing sector, the National Association of Realtors reports that sales of existing homes rose 7.8 percent in August from July and were 9.3 percent above the pace of August 2011.

7:55 am

Wed September 19, 2012

The End Of WASP-Dominated Politics

Credit Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images

The Obamas walk back to the White House after attending Easter service at St. John's Episcopal Church on April 8. President Obama is the only Protestant on either 2012 presidential ticket.

By editor

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 1:02 pm

Just looking at Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, you might not think of them as cultural pioneers. But the Republicans make up the first presidential ticket in history not to feature a Protestant.

Romney is Mormon, Ryan, Catholic. That might not seem like such a big deal — especially when you consider they are running against the first African-American president.

But all of these individuals are emblematic of an enormous shift in both American demographics and political power.

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9:20 am

Wed September 19, 2012