>> new extreme military aid and calls for a political solution to the war in syria. the u.k. and u.s. are toning down their rhetoric in response to an alleged chemical attack near damascus. the fort hood shooter is sentenced to death. 13 people were killed in the 2009 attack, making it the worst mass murder at the military installation in u.s. history. the 70th menace film festival opens with a space trailer -- venice film festival opens with a space thriller starring sandra

bullock and george clooney. hello. we start with the latest on syria. world powers are debating how to respond to last week cost chemical attack -- last week's alleged chemical attack. the u.s. president has not yet decided on a plan for retaliatory action. >> no decision yet in washington but a clear message that there is a case for a military strike. >> if we are saying, in a clear and decisive, but very limited way, we send the crop -- a shot across the bow saying stop doing that that could have a positive impact on our national security in the long term and may have an impact in the terms that chemical weapons are not used again on civilians. >> a limited strike is in the

cards, but could be later rather than sooner. there is pressure on washington to wait until you and inspectors on the ground have made their reports -- until you and inspectors -- until u.n. inspectors on the ground have made their reports. a majority is in doubt and house of commons -- in doubt in the house of commons. the government has had the following line with opposition demands. >> the motion they're putting for tomorrow reflects the prime minister's recognition -- the notion we are putting forward -- the motion we are putting forward tomorrow reflects the prime minister's recognition -- >> and it is not just certain british m.p.'s who doubt the choice of a strike on syria. there are those who say assad will not crumble if attacked.

people in the u.k. and u.s. fear and iraq syndrome, being drawn in and so making the situation worse. >> as tension grows over syria britain has sent six-jets to a base in cyprus -- six jets to a base in cyprus. let's cross to london, where our correspondent is standing by. hello. the brits are sending jets to the region. david cameron has been on the phone to barack obama a lot. but the prime minister is facing a lot of resistance to military action from members of his own party. >> yes. he has had to climb down because the opposition labor party changed their position last night in a major way. and so, the coalition government, the conservative prime minister leading a coalition government with junior partners that are liberal democrats, has had to water down

that motion. we will now have two votes. one today that will agree a principle, if necessary, of going ahead with a military attack on syria after those alleged amoco attacks perpetrated by -- chemical attacks perpetrated by the asad regime. real problems domestically for mr. cameron. he's not even sure of winning the motion that will be voted on tonight. there'll be eight hours of debate. it starts at 2:30 p.m. london time. it will be kicked off by the prime minister himself. what m.p.'s are uneasy, whether it is in his party, the opposition party, the liberal democrats -- what they are concerned about is being taught down in some protracted war -- being bogged down in some crook track and war. -- some protrac

ted war. it is the same as the iraq war, the way it was voted on, and what iraq has become today. that is all haunting not just the political class but also the british population. we know that from all the opinion polls. >> thank you very much. we are getting reports of russia, an ally of syria, planning to send an anti- submarine ship and the missile cruiser to the region. i asked correspondent about that earlier -- asked a correspondent about that earlier. >> you mentioned the anti- submarine ship in the missile cruiser are headed to the mediterranean. it is in response to the "well- known situation in the region, " a clear reference to syria. moscow has expressed its clear

displeasure at the thought of a western led military intervention in syria. they have used their power to so far block resolutions that would lead to military interventions and have told the u.s. secretary of state and others that such a strike would be deeply counterproductive and harming to the diplomatic avenues for solving a crisis. >> russia has made it clear that it might veto any resolution on military action against syria. what is it doing on the diplomatic front? >> that is the main criticism than many would level against the russian side in the entire evolution of the syrian crisis over the past two years. on one hand it has called for multilateral engagement on the diplomatic front through the united nations to show the displeasure toward any side of ad hoc or military intervention

in the crisis. at the same time, it has urged international parties to go through the u.n. and try to resolve the conflict dramatically -- diplomatically. it has been dragging its feet on a conference that never happened between the rebels and geneva. it has not come up with what should be done. >> a talk with the head of national coalitionthe. -- the head of the syrian national coalition -- >> [speaking french] >> we must do everything to reach a political solution. but this will only be possible if the coalition is capable of presenting itself as a viable

alternative, with a strong- arming. -- with a strong army. we will only manage this if the international community is able to put and end to this cycle of violence. this chemical massacre being just one example of this brutality. >> here is more on that meeting earlier this thursday. >> the meeting between francois hollande and the opposition leader is likely to be a disappointment. he explained for the last two years rebels have been increasing -- asking for increased military aid from their western allies and they have not seen it coming. two days ago, they could have been excused for thinking that was about to change. francois hollande said he wanted to increase military aid to the rebels. today, there was no more

mention. political help, humanitarian aid, yes. but no mention of increased military aid. he wants to deter the syrian regime from using chemical weapons. it appears the military options and diplomatic avenues are still on the table to achieve that objective. >> inside syria, you and inspectors -- inside syria u.n. inspectors are back to work. ban ki-moon says the inspectors will wrap up their mission tomorrow, friday and leave on saturday. he has urged world powers to consider the inspectors' findings before deciding how to respond to last week's alleged chemical attack near damascus. >> i appeal that diplomacy should be given the chance and peace given a chance. it is important that all of the

opinions should be resolved by peaceful means and through dialogue. i'm going to continue to work on this rentable -- principle. >> a former u.s. army psychiatrist has been sentenced to death for killing 13 soldiers at a texas army base in 2009. major nidal hasan said he opened fire to protect islamist insurgents from american troops about to deploy to afghanistan. >> he is not giving his wife. -- life. we are taking his life. that's how the prosecution convinced the military jury to sentence major the dollhouse on the death -- to sentence major nidal hasan to death, despite his efforts to become a martyr. >> anyone who would use their religion to commit acts of terrorism serves no god except their own hatred and self- interest.

as far as his claim that he was saving lives, he has nothing but -- done nothing but further deteriorate relationships between the u.s. and middle eastern countries. nidal hasan is a coward and unrepentant murderer. >> on november 5 2009, hasan opened fire in the medical facility leaving 12 dead and m any wounded. the american-born muslim soldier never denied being the gunman. he barely put up a defense during his trial. hasan's execution is likely years away. the military justice system requires an automatic appeal that could take several years. military executions are extremely rare. there are currently five military prisoners on death row. the last time a soldier was executed was back in 1961. >> kenya's red cross says at

least 41 people have been killed in a bus accident. dozens more were injured. it is not yet clear what caused the crash, but it appears the bus was speeding while possibly overloaded. it plunged into a valley about halfway in the journey from nairobi to homa bay. moving on to the arrest of one of india's most wanted men. he is being questioned after being detained wednesday night on india's eastern border with nepal. police say he is one of the leaders of the indian mujahedin -- mujahideen group. it has also been linked to lash kari tiber -- lashkar i e taiiba. perhaps cinema cannot change the world, but we know it can create a world. at the venice film festival,

matt damon, nicolas cage, and george clooney are all competing for top prizes. the competition has a few surprises up its sleeve. >> it is the world's oldest international film festival. 11 days of movie madness in venice kicked off with a bang on wednesday thanks to the premiere of gravity =-- the 3d space drama, "gravity." it sees george clooney and sandra bullock as astronauts flung into deep space. >> i try to find really good scripts. if there is something i can do in them -- there were only to the parts. sandy had the other one. i fell like this was the only part i could get away with. i did like the character a lot. i thought it was fun to be able to play. >> 20 films are in competition

for the prestigious golden lion. ayou will come face-to-face with real surprises, which i hope will be pleasant and also entertaining. >> the jury is headed up by an oscar-winning italian director. films such as terry gilliam's and "under the skin" will be vying for top prize. the winner will be announced on september 7. >> that's it for now from the newsroom. thanks for watching. >> welcome to the week in the americas. coming up, searching for a better life in the u.s. at least nine mexican migrants die in a freight train crash. the train carries thousands looking for a fresh start across the border. 50 years since the famous "i have a dream" speech.

how far has been united states come in making that dream a reality? thus, born to be wild. we will need a french woman who is living her american dream -- plus born to be wild. we will meet a french woman who is living her american dream. barack obama may be set to give a green light to a military intervention in syria. images of last week's suspected poison gas attack in damascus sent shockwaves across the world, prompting world leaders -- calls for world leaders to take action. >> he made ending the war in iraq a central promise of his campaign. >> the first thing i will do as president of the united states is bringing into this war and tell the joint chief of staff to start getting our troops out. >> brack obama was reluctant to see american troops on the ground -- barack obama was reluctant to see american troops on the ground. by the end of 2011, all u.s. troops werefrom iraq.

to fight the war on terror, the president stepped up drone attacks, using them six times as frequently as former president george bush. >> a targeted, focused effort at people who are on a list of active terrorists who are trying to go in and harm americans. >> the geopolitical landscape has forced the u.s. president to reengage, first in libya. obama reluctantly entered the conflict, pushed by france and the u.k. the united states took command of operations for a few days before handing over to nato. the president referred to see the britain and -- to see britain and france shoulder most of the raid. with syria, obama has little choice. in 2009, he drew a red line on the use of chemical weapons which now seems to have been crossed.

>> the president understands that his credibility is at stake in ways that he really has to balance this against a strong public opinion in united states against any significant intervention in syria or anywhere else in the middle east. >> the president may have a tough job convincing america. according to a recent poll, nearly 60% of americans are against any type of military intervention in syria. >> every year, thousands of undocumented migrants tempt their fate traveling on a freight train known as the beast. migrants face fees, immigration officials, and even severe weather on the journey all in search of a better life in the u.s. on sunday, one of the trains derailed, killing nine and injuring dozens. the migrants on board were just a few of thousands who never realized their dream of reaching the u.s. >> grieving family members look on as their loved ones, who left honduras in search of a better

life, return in a coffin. it's a blatant reminder of the enormous risk thousands take every year. they jump on quality -- on board the so-called "beast," in the hopes of making it to the u.s. and finding work. on sunday, one of the freight trains derailed. for these relatives, the risk is not worth it. >> it is true that if they reach the u.s., there are benefits for us. it's like winning the lottery. but it is blood money. there are a lot of sacrifices, a lot of injustice, a lot of people who fail one way or another. >> the beast travels daily from the southern border with water mullah all the way to the u.s. -- with guatemala all the way to the u.s.-mexico divide. drug gangs like the notorious zetas have hijacked the route, offering -- often charging $100

or more to board the train. >> the zetas came out with guns and offered me work. i said no. others got excited about it. >> in a lot of cases, i do you get recruited or they kill you or a member of your family -- in a lot of cases you get recruited or they kill you or a member of your family. >> the number of migrants who went missing between 2006 and 2012 is approximately 70,000. despite the risks, many say they have no choice. honduras says the majority of immigrants who ride the train come from its poverty-stricken the most violent country in the world outside of a war zone. many migrants say they will continue to take their lives in their hands and ride the beast for the same possibility -- they might make it to the land of opportunity. >> it has been 50 years since

martin luther king jr., hagave his iconic "i have a dream" speech. half a century later, an african-american sits in the highest office of power. the question remains, how far has the united states come to realizing king's dream? look at where race relations stand in the u.s. here's our report. >> the life of the negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation. [applause] >> 50 years on, we passed the lincoln memorial with a taxi driver who was in washington that day, a new arrival from the south, where segregation and racial tension were the norm. >> i'm 74 years old. 74. feel like 50. >> the scene of the march on washington has not changed.

august 20 8, 19 63, 200 50,000 americans -- august 28, 1963 250,000 americans listen to the speech. >> i have a dream. >> i have a dream that even in the south, the heart of alabama -- >> one day, right there in alabama -- >> little white noise and black boys will be able to get together, join hands -- white boys and black boys will be able to get together, join hands -- i remember that dream. free at last free at last. >> thank god almighty, we are free at last. [applause] >> link. almighty, -- thank god almight,ty free at last. i remember the dream. >> things have changed. passing by the white house makes

it all the more real, but major divisions remain. and he sees them in the nation's capital on a daily basis. the northwest is almost entirely white and prosperous -- the northwest of washington, d.c., is almost entirely white and prosperous. one of the leaders of the national action network, a civil rights organization that fights for equal opportunities for blacks in america says martin luther king, jr.'s, dream is not complete. one name symbolizes this. trayvon martin's shadow hangs over a week of celebration and commemoration. the black, unarmed teenager was gunned down by a white man in florida. zimmerman walked free. >> the government set him free, found him not guilty. that is racism, according to my definition. >> still, this anniversary week

in washington brings a major shift to the fore. 50 years ago, many states forbade interracial marriage. we meet this couple, married in the 1980's. their son is part of the new era, post-martin luther king, jr. >> it is easy for me. i'm proud of my parents. i'm glad they did what they did. >> it's probably the most important change i've seen my lifetime in the united states of america. the fact that we came from a time of oppression to having a black man as president today -- that is his legacy. >> 50 years on, the united states of america looks proudly at the self-imposed obstacles the country overcame and looks toward the challenges ahead with african-americans still statistically poorer and with less employment. >> and finally have you ever

dreamed of having the wind in your face while traveling the open roads of the u.s.? one frenchwomnaan has and she has made it her reality peachy has found a way to make money doing what she loves -- make it her reality. she has found a way to make money doing what she loves. >> wearing her stars and stripes bandanna and writing her hog she fits right in with the landscape -- and riding her hog she fits right in with the landscape. >> you've heard of the american dream? i/'m living it. >> she has been living the dream for more than 10 years. she has made her passion her job, guiding bikers on epic road trips across america. >> so, you guys can all come over here. we'll do a little briefing. i'll show you what we're going

to do today. we're going to go to the national park arches, one of the most beautiful parks in the united states. >> first stop on the two-week journey, arches national park, whose iconic red rock formations have been sculpted by nature for millions of years. they call her frenchie. >> she likes to have fun. she is full of life and adventure. >> even as some have to get over their initial skepticism. >> it can be a little difficult. i think, whoa, a girl is going to be leading us? then it gets better. i know my stuff. >> there is no traffic to contend with and no helmets. in utah, they are not obligatory. but she says the bad-boy biker

image is misplaced. >> we are like a family. we call each other brother sister. it is a way of life. >> and she will never go back to her old life. a few months ag

>> three british workers -- abbas tarver, a midwife, and a paramedic. -- a bus driver, a midwife, and a paramedic. they do their jobs in some of the toughest conditions on the planet. >> that was a really cruel birth. >> that is one satisfied customer. >> how do you guys do this in these conditions? >> angie dimon is leaving her home in the welsh valleys and her job as a cardiff paramedic to work in guatemala city.