(Image Source: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, RIA Novosti, Bloomberg, The Christian Post)

BY JONATHAN KETZ

This is Newsy Now, and here are your latest headlines.

Activists in Syria say at least 50 people have been killed by security forces over the past three days. This is happening while Syria---continues to lose support from its neighbors. Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Robert Jordan has more.

“Bashar’s atrocities, I think have finally gotten the attention of the Saudis and the Arab League. They’ve been quietly behind the scenes trying to encourage Bashar to stop the violence, to stop the brutality.”

Libyan rebels claim they’ve taken a large part of the city of Brega. The town has gone back and forth between Rebels and Moammar Gaddafi’s forces. Does taking Brega move the Rebels any closer to victory? One analysis on MSNBC says no.

“There’s really no clear indication the rebels will be able to make drastic moves to overthrow the regime. It wasn’t surprising to us that Gadhafi was able to last this long. Really, it’s up to the players involved to come to some sort of negotiation.”

In business news-- U.S. retail sales in July---on the rise. Retail sales increased by half a percent. It’s the largest increase in four months. Will the results spur the stock market? Here’s Fox News.

“The indication is we will open higher. Of course we know that’s not always how we stay. The first and last hour of trading are critical. More importantly I’d love to see two up days in a row. For these days, it’s a moral victory.”

Starbucks cancels a speaking engagement at a church. That’s because some think the church--is anti-gay. KING explains the scenario.

“A Chicago pastor says an online petition is keeping Starbuck’s CEO Howard Schultz from speaking at his church. Schultz was set to speak at Willow Creek Community Church. The petition asked people to boycott Starbucks if he spoke because the church supports an anti-gay agenda. The church denies that claim.”

And Google Plus goes gaming. The network will add games like Diamond Dash, Blitz, and Angry Birds to its site. Analysts say they saw this one coming as Google and Facebook go at it for users. Here’s what some of the games may look---and sound like.

(Nat sound of music with the different games that G+ will have)

Stay with Newsy for all your news throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m Jonathan Ketz-- hi-lighting your top headlines, making you smarter---faster.