10 things you need to know today: August 19, 2012

Syria's Assad makes a rare public appearance, Obama attacks Ryan on taxes, and more in our roundup of the stories that are making news and driving opinion

President Obama speaks in Iowa on Aug. 15: A few days later, in New Hampshire, the president charged that Paul Ryan would slash Mitt Romney's tax rate.
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

1. SYRIA'S ASSAD MAKES RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad performed Eid prayers at a Damascus mosque on Sunday — his first public appearance since a deadly bombing in the country's capital last month. The footage of Assad praying was shown on state-run television. Assad's power has wilted during a brutal 17-month revolt and civil war, and many experts predict that the leader's days are numbered. In the video, Assad sits quietly during a sermon. Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa is nowhere to be seen, and some members of the opposition claim that al-Sharaa has defected to them. [Reuters]

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