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First Word: Chemical weapons in Syria

The Obama administration announced plans Thursday to arm Syrian rebel forces after concluding that leader Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against the oppo
A Syrian living in Serbia displays a placard on March 16, 2013 during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the center of Belgrade.  (Photo by Alexa Sankovic/AFP/Getty Images)
A Syrian living in Serbia displays a placard on March 16, 2013 during a protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the center of Belgrade.

The Obama administration announced plans Thursday to arm Syrian rebel forces after concluding that leader Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against the opposition.

"Following on the credible evidence that the regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people, the President has augmented the provision of non-lethal assistance to the civilian opposition, and also authorized the expansion of our assistance to the Supreme Military Council," said an official statement on their decision to supply increased military support.

A new report issued by the United Nations estimated the death toll in the country reached nearly 93,000 over the course of the ongoing civil war.

We'll have the breaking news details at 10pm ET. Here's a look at other stories that also caught our eye today.

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