Homs Shelling Redoubles

So much for the Russian envoy. Bashar al-Assad’s forces redoubled their shelling of the Syrian city of Homs, killing at least 40 people, according to activists. Residents say it's the heaviest bombardment yet. The city has been shelled for five days straight. Yesterday the Russian foreign minister visited Damascus and received assurances from Assad that he would end the violence and begin talks. CNN reports that the U.S. military has begun reviewing its options in Syria, though the Pentagon stressed the plans are very preliminary, and U.S. officials say the U.S. remains focused on sanctions and diplomacy.