Professional Liar/Cheat Lance Armstrong Nears First Sworn Testimony – A Texas judge is pushing Lance Armstrong closer to his first sworn testimony on details of his performance-enhancing drug use, ordering the cyclist to answer questions about who knew what and when about his doping, including possibly his ex-wife and his attorneys. [daitel]

SYRIA

US Senate Committee Backs Use Of Force – A US Senate panel has approved the use of military force in Syria, in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack. By 10-7, the Committee on Foreign Relations moved the measure to a full Senate vote, expected next week. [bbc]

Putin: Russia Might Let U.N. OK Strike Against Syria – President Vladimir Putin warned the West against taking one-sided action in Syria but also said Russia “doesn’t exclude” supporting a U.N. resolution on punitive military strikes if it is proven that Damascus used poison gas on its own people. [cbs]

Russia Boosts Mediterranean Force As US Mulls Syria Strike – Russia is sending three more ships to the eastern Mediterranean to bolster its fleet there as a US Senate panel will consider President Barack Obama’s request for authority to conduct a military strike on Syria. [smh]

Former Syria Defense Minister Defects In Break With Assad – Former Syrian Defence Minister General Ali Habib, a prominent member of President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect, has defected and is now in Turkey, a senior member of the opposition Syrian National Coalition told Reuters on Wednesday. [reuters]

SA Government Have Made Requests For User Info From Facebook And Google – The South African government had over the past year submitted 14 requests to Facebook and three to Google to get information about a certain user, according to a report. [timeslive]

Android KitKat: The Story Behind A Delicious Partnership – On Tuesday Google announced that the next version of Android will be named “KitKat,” after the ubiquitous chocolate bars sold around the world. It’s the first time a mainstream operating system has been given a licensed name, and the deal with trademark owner Nestle took time to complete. [verge]

Another Day, Another Catholic Priest Pedophile – Prosecutors began a criminal investigation Wednesday into the Vatican’s former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, a day after a local church representative said the pope had recalled the envoy because of child abuse allegations. [cnn]

Here Are All The People Who Have Died From A Marijuana Overdose – Just how deadly a killer is marijuana? Here’s a GIF showing all of the people who have died after overdosing on pot. [huffpo]

Jack Nicholson Retirement Rumours Are Apparently False – Rumors that the three-time Oscar winner was hanging up his acting hat started running rampant on Wednesday, Sept. 4, after a report surfaced claiming the 76-year-old Hollywood legend was doing just that. Apparently it’s not true. According to his buddy. [eonline]

DA Goes To Court For Expat Provincial Voting Rights – The DA is asking the Western Cape High Court to allow South Africans living abroad to vote for candidates in the provincial legislature. [mail&guardian]

Nadal Crushes Roberdo, Meets Gasquet In US Open Semi – Merciless Rafael Nadal crushed Spanish compatriot Tommy Robredo, the shock conqueror of Roger Federer, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach a fifth US Open semi-final. [tennis]

Jay Z Sells Brooklyn Nets Stake – Jay Z is selling his minority ownership in the Brookyn Nets to coach Jason Kidd. Kidd will take over Jay’s .067 percent (1/15th of a percent) stake in the team for about $500,000. [nypost]

Kamini Makes It To The Final 3 In SA’s Masterchef – “Kamini, you will be battling it out with Seline for a place in the final,” Pete announced, and that meant it was the end of the road for Ozzy. “I feel really sad to be Eliminated but I don’t feel sad getting Eliminated against those Contestants,” Ozzy said graciously. [masterchef]

Lamar Goes To Rehab – Lamar Odom has checked himself into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. “He realized he needs help,” a source says of the NBA free agent and husband of reality star Khloé Kardashian Odom. [people]

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BAR.ONE Manhunt Contestants With Bailey Schneider, 2pm –  BAR.ONE Manhunt takes the contestants and the viewers on a journey to discover courage, leadership and integrity on a never-before-seen scale where only one man will emerge triumphant in the face of extreme physical, mental and emotional trials. Kimo, Jefferson, and Scotty join Bailey from 14h00-15h00 today to chat about their experiences throughout the competition. [baileyschneider]

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