10 things you need to know today: August 3, 2012

Kofi Annan resigns, Gabby Douglas shines, and more in our roundup of the stories that are making news and driving opinion

Gabby Douglas, 16, competes on the balance beam during her gold-medal winning performance Thursday at the London Olympics.
(Image credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

1. ANNAN RESIGNS AS SYRIA SPECIAL ENVOY

Kofi Annan is quitting his role as international peace envoy for Syria. Annan, the former U.N. Secretary-General, said he was frustrated with the "finger-pointing and name-calling" at the U.N. Security Council. "The increasing militarization on the ground and the clear lack of unity in the Security Council, have fundamentally changed the circumstances for the effective exercise of my role." Russia and China thrice vetoed Security Council resolutions to put increased pressure and sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, severely limiting Annan's diplomatic options. The White House also blamed Annan's quitting on Beijing and Moscow. [Reuters]

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