Independent doctors in Syria say at least 355 civilians died in what many believe to be a chemical weapons attack – A man is caught allegedly smuggling uranium in his shoes – Dispossessed cattlemen suspected of taking fiery revenge on Brazil’s indigenous people.

The group “Doctors Without Borders” says hospitals it supports in Syria treated about 3,600 patients with “neurotoxic symptoms”, of whom 355 have died.  The patients were treated on 21 August, when rebel groups say the government launched a chemical weapons attack on their neighborhood east of Damascus.  But the group says it cannot confirm the use of chemical weapons, or who might have used them.

Syrian state TV appears to be trying to deflect blame for the chemical attack, it showed what it said were ingredients used in chemical weapons that were allegedly hidden in tunnels used by the rebels.  The blue and green plastic drums are normally used to transport oil, and were shown lined against a wall with several rusty mortar bombs and grenades.

Agents at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport arrest a man who allegedly concealed uranium samples in his shoes.  Patrick Campbell of Sierra Leone was charged with attempting to broker a sale of 1,000 tons of yellowcake uranium to Iran.  The people he allegedly thought were Iranians turned out to be US undercover agents.

Gibraltar is criticizing Spanish Police for sending divers to inspect the artificial reef that set off weeks of tensions between Spain and the UK.  Gibraltar, a UK territory, claims the waters and said the divers were violating its sovereignty.  Spain says the new artificial reef interferes with its fishing rights.  The divers took Spanish flags with them then posed for underwater photos, which were later shared on Twitter.

Cops in Belgium raided a big ecstasy-ring, arresting eleven people and seizing drugs and drug-making materials worth about A$1.9 Billion on the streets.  The biggest laboratory was found at a farm warehouse in a wooded area near Chimay in southern Belgium.  Anti-drug agents in the Netherlands and Poland also carried out raids on they same ring.

Brazil is investigating more than 400 fires set in an indigenous peoples reserve, suspected to be revenge by non-Indians who were evicted from the soybean- and cattle-producing region late last year.  The government made the land an indigenous reserve in 1998, but some non-Indian farmers and ranchers stayed on, losing their final court ruling last October.

South Africa’s Nelson Mandela is said to be showing “great resilience” in his extended stay in hospital.  A government statement says the 95-year old former political prisoner turned president is “still critical but stable”, the phrase used to describe his condition for several weeks after he was admitted to hospital in early June with a lung infection.