World News Inquiry finds Syrian gov’t forces responsible for third gas attack

Trump gains on Clinton, poll shows ‘rigged’ message resonates

UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) - An international inquiry found Syrian government forces responsible for a third toxic gas attack, according to a confidential report submitted to the U.N. Security Council yesterday, setting the stage for a showdown between Russia and western council members over how to respond.

The fourth report from the 13-monthlong inquiry by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the global chemical weapons watchdog, blamed Syrian government forces for a toxic gas attack in Qmenas in Idlib governorate on March 16, 2015, according to a text of the report seen by Reuters.

The third report by the inquiry in August blamed the Syrian government for two chlorine attacks - in Talmenes on April 21, 2014 and Sarmin on March 16, 2015 - and said Islamic State militants had used sulfur mustard gas.

The results set the stage for a Security Council showdown between the five vetowielding powers, likely pitting Russia and China against the United States, Britain and France over how those responsible should be held accountable.

Following the submission of the third report, Russia said the conclusions could not be used to impose U.N. sanctions.

The report submitted yesterday said that Syrian government forces had used helicopters to drop barrel bombs, which then released chlorine gas. It found those helicopter flights originated from two bases where the 253 and 255 squadrons, belonging to the 63rd helicopter brigade, were based.

It added that the 618 squadron, with navy helicopters, was also located at one of the bases.

However, the inquiry said that it “could not confirm the names of the individuals who had command and control of the helicopter squadrons at the time.”

But it added that those “with effective control in the military units ... must be held accountable.”

The report confirmed a Reuters report in September that the inquiry had identified the 253 and 255 squadrons, belonging to the 63rd helicopter brigade.

The inquiry focused on nine attacks in seven areas of Syria where a separate OPCW fact-finding investigation had already determined that chemical weapons had likely been used. Eight of the attacks investigated involved the use of chlorine. The inquiry was unable to reach a conclusion in five cases. NEWTOWN, Pa./CLEVELAND, (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gained on his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton among American voters this week, cutting her lead nearly in half, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling released yesterday.

The polling data showed Trump’s argument that the Nov. 8 election is “rigged” against him has resonated with members of his party.

“Remember folks, it’s a rigged system,” Trump told a Pennsylvania rally on Friday. “That’s why you’ve got to get out and vote, you’ve got to watch. Because this system is totally rigged.”

Clinton led Trump 44 percent to 40 percent, according to the Oct. 14-20 Reuters/Ipsos poll, a 4-point lead. That compared with 44 percent for Clinton and 37 percent for Trump in the Oct. 7-13 poll released last week.

An average of national opinion polls by RealClearPolitics shows Clinton currently 6.2 percentage points ahead at 48.1 percent support to Trump’s 41.9 percent.

Trump’s campaign was thrown into crisis after a 2005 video released earlier this month showed him bragging about groping and kissing women. He has since faced accusations - which he has said are “absolutely false” - that he made improper sexual advances to women over decades.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey found 63 percent of Americans, including a third of Republicans, believe the New York real estate mogul has committed sexual assault in the past.

Reuters contacted a few of the poll respondents who said they felt that Trump had likely “committed sexual assault” but were still supporting his candidacy. Their answers were generally the same: Whatever Trump did with women in the past is less important to them than what he may do as president.