Korva Coleman

Syrian rebels are taking a pounding in Aleppo, Syria's largest city but they continue to hold some neighborhoods where they've taken control. VOA reports the Syrian government is warning of "the mother of all battles" in the commercial hub, home to millions of people. Russia says a tragedy is "imminent."

Happy Friday! We're looking at these stories this morning:

Economy Slowed Further In Second Quarter.

Derecho, the Sequel: Storm Roars Over Pennsylvania And New York.

In London, The Games Are Afoot.

Update at 5:36 p.m. ET. U.S. Attorney Will Investigate:

During a press conference today, Mayor Tom Tait asked for calm. He also said that the Office of the U.S. Attorney had agreed to investigate the shootings.

"The first step is to get to the truth," Tait said according to the Orange County Register. "That takes some time and patience, and that's what I'm asking for."

Our Original Post Continues:

Chad Everett, the strikingly handsome actor best known for portraying a thoughtful surgeon in a 1970s medical drama has died. Everett won two Golden Globe nominations for playing Dr. Joe Gannon on Medical Center.

It aired from 1969 through 1976, one of the longest running medical shows on TV, according to Hollywood Reporter, which said Everett also owned 15% of the series.

It's Wednesday, and we're watching these stories today:

'Heat Dome' Linked To Greenland's Biggest Melt In 30 Years.

Aleppo 'Cowers' As Fighting Flares In And Around Syria's Biggest City.

Rebels and Syrian government troops continue to battle in Aleppo, Syria's largest city and home to many supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Several reports say the government is using helicopters to attack neighborhoods where rebel fighters are hiding.

Good Tuesday morning - we're following these news stories:

Former Murdoch Editors Face Criminal Charges In U.K. Phone Hacking Scandal.

Fierce Fighting Continues In Syria's Largest City, Home To Bashar Loyalists. (VOA)

The latest European country to ask for financial support will get substantial assistance. Spain's ailing banks will receive billions of dollars from other European countries, as Spain wobbles on the edge of a financial cliff.

Update: Syria's news agency, Sana, announced Lt. Gen. Hisham Ikhtyar, Head of the National Security Office, was "martyred" this week by a "terrorist explosion" during a meeting at the National Security headquarters.

Our original post:

It's Friday, and we're following these stories:

Real-Life Horror: Many Killed, Dozens Wounded At Colorado Movie Theater.

Syrian Intelligence Official Dies From Damascus Bombing; 4th Assad Aide To Perish. (Reuters)

China and Russia this morning vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that could permit sanctions against Syria unless the government of President Bashar Assad stops using weapons against civilians. This is the third time China and Russia have rebuffed measures pushed by the United States and its allies to try to bring a halt to Syria's violent civil conflict.

This isn't oxymoronic but last week, hundreds of turtles successfully dashed out of a Georgia turtle farm and escaped into nearby undergrowth. While there was no slow-speed chase, turtle farmer David Driver tells the Chattanooga News about 1,600 reptiles got away.

The holiest month in the Islamic year begins tonight when Ramadan arrives. Beliefnet says its significance comes from the Prophet Mohammed, who received the Quran during this time. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire book, fast during daylight hours and perform charitable works.

You can read the Quran here.

Good morning, we're looking at these stories today:

As Fighting Rages In Damascus, Survival Of Assad's Regime Is In Doubt.

Video May Show Suicide Bomber Who Attacked Bus In Bulgaria.

Financial troubles are surfacing in another California city: Compton, just south of Los Angeles, is in trouble. Just like Stockton, Mammoth Lakes and San Bernardino, Compton's bills are too big and its income too small.

Last week, Standard and Poor's, Compton's credit rating agency, put the some of the city's bonds on credit watch. S-and-P cited problems with alleged waste, fraud and misuse of city dollars, and blamed city officials for failing to turn over documents that might clear up questions.