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."

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:

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.

A day after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke to the nation's oldest civil right organization, Vice President Joe Biden appeared at the NAACP's annual convention. He quickly tackled one issue that drew Romney sustained boos — the 2010 health care overhaul.

Biden appeared in place of President Obama, who made a brief videotaped address thanking the group for its work. He walked out to warm applause, and several of his remarks were interrupted by shouts of agreement.

Happy Friday! We're watching these stories today:

Afghan Militants Attack Kabul Hotel, 18 Killed. (AP)

Thousands Jam Cairo Square To Protest Egyptian Military Power Grab. (AlJazeera)

Pakistani Party Nominates New Prime Minister Candidate To Succeed Ousted P.M. (VOA)

Firefighting planes got a surprise in central Colorado yesterday - witnesses reported apparent meteors near the blaze burning west of Colorado Springs.

The quaint term used for the witness observation is "sky sightings", according to AP.

Swedish authorities say explosive material turned up in a truck close by one of the country's three nuclear power plants.

The Ringhals nuclear power plant says the material was hidden in a truck that was headed for the facility. Officials discovered it during a routine scan and turned it over to police. The plant says the unidentified material couldn't have caused serious damage.

Good morning - we're watching these news stories today.

Reminder: Supreme Court's Health Care Ruling Possible Today.

Syrian Fighter Jet Lands In Jordan, Pilot Reportedly Seeks Asylum.

Scottish school girl Martha Payne is just nine, but she caused a national kerfluffle last week when she was told she could no longer publish photographs of her school lunches on her daily food blog, NeverSeconds.

Martha began blogging in April about the quality of her school lunches, with the help of her father, David. Each day she posts a clear photograph of a meal, and rates each one on its taste, health, price and number of pieces of hair that turn up in the food (mostly none).

Happy Wednesday! We're following these stories today:

Will Egypt's Generals Use News About Mubarek to Further Delay Democracy?

If Sandusky's Going To Testify, Today's The Day.