Here's a snapshot of some of the top stories we're following Tuesday evening
Syria decision could ripple around the globe
The decision the United States is about to make on Syria — how and where to punish President Bashar Assad for using chemical weapons on his own people — will touch just about every important piece on the geopolitical board. Read more on NBC News.
Already one of largest ever, California wildfire still growing
One of the largest wildfires in the history of California, which has raged for 11 days over rugged terrain near Yosemite National Park, continues to grow even as nearly 4,000 firefighters battle the blaze. Fire officials hope a change in the weather will help in their fight against massive inferno that has scorched an area almost as large as New York City. Read more on NBC News.
Jury to decide fate of Fort Hood gunman
A 13-member military jury on Wednesday will start deliberating the fate of convicted Fort Hood, Texas, massacre gunman Maj. Nidal Hasan, who over two days heard from victims and family members of the 13 people killed how his rampage destroyed lives. Hasan could be sentenced to life in prison or death by lethal injection. Read more on NBC News.
50 year ago, King had a ‘dream’ he later called a ‘nightmare’
Fifty years ago on Wednesday, Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech was a defining moment for the civil rights movement, for America, and for King himself. When we remember King, we remember his dream of racial equality. So it’s hard to believe in an NBC News interview three and a half year’s later King would say that dream had in some ways “turned into a nightmare.” Read more on NBC News
U.S. envoy tries to free missionary imprisoned in North Korea
The U.S. is sending its special envoy for North Korean human rights issues to Pyongyang to seek the release of U.S. missionary Kenneth Bae, who's serving hard labor for allegedly trying to overthrow the regime of President Kim Jong-un. Read more on NBC News.
More photos from Boston bombing manhunt
A complete collection photos from behind the scenes of the manhunt Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, images that earned a state police officer an internal review for leaking them, are on display in a Boston magazine. Read more on NBC News.
Arias’ attorneys want sentencing out of Phoenix
Lawyers for Jodi Arias, who was convicted in the 2008 murder of her boyfriend, want her new sentencing moved out of the Phoenix metropolitan area because of excessive publicity. Read more on NBC News.
Did Syrian Electronic Army take down NYTimes.com?
A “malicious external attack by the Syrian Electronic Army or someone trying very hard to be them,” made the The New York Times website, NYTimes.com, go down on Tuesday. Twitter was also hacked, apparently by the same group. Read more on NBC News.
