promoearn: One of this century's deadliest wars has no end in sight

Monday, April 9, 2018

One of this century's deadliest wars has no end in sight

Karim, an infant who was injured twice from bombings

7 years of bloodshed, now going on 8

The Syrian conflict that began in 2011 as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime has escalated into a full-scale civil war, and it's now one of this century's deadliest. The latest chapter: A deadly toxic gas allegedly used against civilians. Opposition activists say 40 people died after a chemical attack late Saturday. They blame the Syrian government. First responders and relief workers said Sunday they discovered families asphyxiated in homes and shelters in the suburbs of Damascus. The images are ghastly. President Trump on Monday condemned the "heinous attack" and said he'd decide within 24-48 hours on a U.S. response. Overnight, the Pentagon denied it had conducted retaliatory airstrikes in Syria on an air base that activists say killed at least 14. Russia says the Israel Air Force is responsible for the missile strikes.

Patrick Reed is a Masters champion, but he still has questions to answer

Patrick Reed, winner of the 2018 Masters, is the most controversial man in golf. He's been disliked from the moment he announced his presence nearly five years ago and hasn't done much to change opinions. (The Augusta National membership probably would have preferred to see defending champion Sergio Garcia put the green jacket on Rory McIlroy in Butler Cabin.) Where Reed fits among the luminaries who have won the Masters is open to debate. His scrappiness is unquestioned: He's a Ryder Cup hero with a 6-1-2 record, and at 27 he probably has more major titles in his future. But it's also fair to point out that he has a checkered past and brings baggage to the Champions Locker Room.

Apple's co-founder just joined the #deleteFacebook movement

Add Steve Wozniak, the guy who co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs, among the growing number of people who are dropping the social network for good . His reason? Wozniak said Facebook has grown careless with how it safeguards users' personal information. "Apple makes its money off of good products, not off of you," he said. Wozniak also said he'd rather pay for Facebook instead of having his user data exploited for ads. Meanwhile, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg gets ready to face Congress.

Bill Cosby Round 2

Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial got off to a memorable start Monday as a topless protester with the phrase "Women's Lives Matter" written in red ink across her torso jumped a barricade and tried to ambush the comedian as he entered the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa. The woman, an actress who made multiple appearances in the final seasons of The Cosby Show, chanted in support of Cosby's accuser, former Temple University athletic department staffer Andrea Constand, who says the comedian drugged and raped her at his home in 2004. Cosby's first trial ended in deadlock last June. Constand's case has brought forward dozens of women who allege the comedian violated them, too.

Other news you shouldn't miss:

Oprah Winfrey gave 60 Minutes viewers a moving sneak peek of a memorial in downtown Montgomery, Ala., dedicated to thousands of lynching victims.

This Arizona teacher found that with a one-hour commute he could double his pay to nearly $80,000. Meanwhile, the massive teacher protests in Oklahoma have entered a second week.

Fixer Upper may be over, but our love for Chip and Joanna Gaines is not. Here's why. And speaking of romance, we bring you this fairy tale of two high school sweethearts who tied the knot in the hallway of school — 28 years later.

The Short List is a compilation of stories from across USA TODAY.