Gas: President Obama is under pressure today to act after an apparent mass chemical attack in Syria. The Syrian military is suspected of a an attack yesterday that killed hundreds of people, including women and children, in a rebel held area east of Damascus.  The same area is under bombing attack today. Pictures of the dead revealed bodies with no blood or signs of physical injury. Video showed some survivors suffering the effects of exposure to an unknown chemical. The US has called for a United Nations investigation, but a UN weapons team is already in Syria investigating other incidents. The Syrian government denies it used chemicals. The attack puts President Obama on the spot to live up to his words that the use of chemical weapons is a “red line” not to be crossed.

Released: Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek was released from prison and transferred to house arrest at a military hospital. He faces a retrial for the killing of protesters during the Arab Spring.

National: Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe, is expected to be released today from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas after an undisclosed procedure. Biden, 44, had become weak and disoriented while on a family vacation. Some news outlets are reporting that doctors found a mass on Biden’s brain.

• A new economic study says middle class income is growing but is still less than it was at the beginning of the great recession. The median income is down 6.1%, about $3,400, from December 2007.

World: Disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai (She-lye) has gone to trial on charges of bribery and corruption in a two-day hearing that is expected to result in his conviction. Xilai was once a rising star posed to reach the top level of the Communist Party. His wife has already been convicted of murder in the death of a British businessman.

Grope City: The San Diego City Council has reached a proposed legal settlement with one of 18 women who have accused mayor Bob Filner of inappropriate touching and sexual banter. The deal might include Filner’s resignation. He was seen last night at city hall loading boxes into a car. Filner’s most recent accuser says he was groping her buttocks at the very moment she was having her picture taken with him in his office. Filner is scheduled to have a press conference tomorrow at which it is possible he will announce his resignation.

Transitions: Convicted army private Bradley Manning told NBC News he wants to be called “Chelsea” as he begins a 35-year sentence and changing his gender.  Chelsea is eligible for parole in seven years.

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