US 1st Armored Division Being Sent to Jordan

Two hundred members of the 1st Armored Division will be sent to Jordan.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement, on Thursday.

Their mission will be assist Jordan in securing it's border against violence over flowing from the Syrian Civil War.

They will also work with Jordanians on planning how to make sure that Syria's chemical weapons are safe and unused.

Former Pakistani President Flees From Court After Being Charged With Treason

Former Pakistani president Musharraf fled from court in Islamabad, on Thursday.

He fled immediately after the High Court ordered he be arrested on charges of committing treason in 2007.

Musharraf and his entourage holed up in his large farm and estate, at the edge of town.

Police have surrounded the compound, but do not appear to be planning on taking him by force.

Before becoming president, Musharraf was the head of Pakistan's military, and any move against him might provoke the military to act in his behalf.

At this point, the military has made no comment about the situation.

Mohammad Amjad, Musharraf's spokesman, stated that they will appeal to Pakistan's Supreme Court on the matter, on Friday.

Fertilizer Plant Explodes in West, Texas Killing 5

Wednesday night firefighters were called out to fight a blaze at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas. About twenty minutes after they had begun fighting the flames, an explosion occurred.

The explosion devastated the area, effectively demolishing nearby buildings. Five people were killed, one hundred and sixty injured, and at least ten are still missing. Most of the missing are firefighters who were engaged in battling the blaze.

Firefighters and police had ordered an evacuation of the surrounding area, due to worries over toxic fumes. Thanks to the evacuation, some people who would've been inside the blast area, were out of it.

Texas emergency management teams and the Texas National Guard were sent to the scene to help with the search and rescue. Other Texas agencies are working on everything else the town of West might need.

The cause of the fire and explosion are under investigation. At this point it is being treated as a crime scene, as is standard protocol when there is any doubt.

Seismographs registered the explosion as a 2.1 earthquake. Residents in Dallas, eighty miles away, felt the shaking.

New Zealand Legalizes Same Sex Marriage

On Wednesday, New Zealand legalized same sex marriage.

The country became the first Asia-Pacific country to legalize it.

Seventy-seven members of parliament voted for it's passage, while forty-four voted against.

Bars had been packed with people watching the vote, and celebrations began as soon as it passed.

Same sex civil unions became legal in 2005.

FBI Working to Determine Who Bombed Boston

FBI investigators are working nonstop to try and determine who it was that bombed the Boston marathon.

At this point, no arrests have been made.

Due to rumors flooding out of the press, the FBI has asked people to ensure that they only listen to official statements from them.

The FBI does have two suspects in the bombing, but have not identified them.

They are asking for the public's help in sending any pictures from before the bombs went off.

Authorities have identified the third person killed as Lu Lingzi, a Chinese citizen who was studying at Boston University.

Boston Marathon Bombing Toll Rises to 3 Dead, 176 Injured

A third person is now listed as having died from Monday's bombing of the Boston Marathon. Eight year old Martin Richard and twenty-nine year old Krystle Campbell have both been identified, while the third casualty has not.

One hundred and seventy-six other people were injured by the twin blasts, making it the worst attack on US soil, since September 11, 2001. All most of the injured suffered wounds to their legs or lower body.

At this time, the FBI is saying that it does not have any suspects, but they are doing everything in their power to go through the evidence and find out who committed the terrorist act. The Taliban has made a statement denying responsibility for the attack.

Authorities have taken back their previous claims of there being five bombs, and put it down to just the two. At least one of them was made using a pressure cooker filled with black powder, ball bearings, and nails. Once put into place the timer was then set, and the bomb was left behind.

The bombings led to several scares, throughout the US, as people were extra zealous in reporting packages. Multiple airports, universities, and other buildings were cleared for times, over worries. None of the scares have led to the finding of any actual explosive devices.

7 Dead in Venezuelan Clashes

Post election clashes in Venezuela killed seven, injured at least sixty-one, and led to one hundred and thirty-five arrests, on Monday.

President Elect Nicolas Maduro barely won the election, and it was immediately challenged by the opposition.

On Sunday, Henrique Capriles demanded a recount in the election, in which he took forty-nine percent of votes.

After that, protesters took to the the streets, and were met by supporters of former President Chavez, who had chosen Maduro to succeed him.

Police used teargas and batons to separate the two groups.

Tuesday saw Maduro accuse the opposition of planning a coup against him, and urged his supporters to reclaim the streets.

Capriles asked his supporters to ensure violence didn't occur, but stated to the press that he and his followers believe that he won the election.

Suicide Bomber Targets ANP Gathering in Pakistan

Fifteen people were killed and forty-five injured when a suicide bomber struck in Peshawar, Pakistan.

His target was a gathering of the Awami National Party, Tuesday night.

The ANP has been repeatedly targeted, by the Taliban, due to their speaking against the terrorist group. 

ANP leaders are blaming the government for not having enough security at their events.

7.8 Iranian Earthquake Causes Deaths in Pakistan

A 7.8 earthquake struck in Iran, on Tuesday, near the border with Pakistan.

At least thirty-four people were killed and over eighty injured in Mashkel, Pakistan.

Iranian officials had originally stated that over forty people were killed in Iran, but then backtracked on that statement.

Currently, Iran is saying that they suffered no casualties and only minor injuries.

They do admit that they are sending search and rescue teams to the area.

Scientists are saying that the depth of the quake kept the costs low.

A Little About 8 Year Old Martin Richard, Killed in the Boston Terror Attack

The eight year old boy who was mercilessly killed at the Boston Marathon has been identified as Martin Richard. Martin was in attendance in order to watch his father race; he was waiting at the finish line so that he could give his father a hug.

Martin was accompanied by his mother, brother and sisters. After the explosions, his mother and six year old sister were taken to a hospital to be treated for serious injuries. It has been reported that his mother underwent surgery for an injury to the brain and his sister suffered the loss of a leg.

Friends of the family congregated together at a Dorchester Restaurant on Monday night. Martin’s father, William Richard, has been described as a Dorchester community leader. “They are beloved by this community. They contribute in many ways. That’s why you see this outpouring,” Ayanna Pressley, City Councilor at Large, said. “It’s surreal, it’s tragic, it’s incomprehensible. Everyone here tonight is trying to comfort one another and be prayerful,” she added.

The Richard family resides in the tight knit Ashmont-Adams neighborhood where both of Martin’s parents are well known for being for their civic involvement. Bill served as board chairman of the St. Mark’s Area Main Street group as well as having been one of the catalysts behind the transformation of Peabody Square. The family is also involved in little league baseball, soccer and their church, St. Ann’s parish, in Neponset.

Jim Keefe, a close friend of the family, who also lives in the Ashmont area, was also at the marathon; his two sons, Nick and James, ran in the event.  Jim explained that his son Nick had just crossed the finish line on Boylson Street when he, “heard this earth shattering boom. I turned and saw this plume and then I heard a second boom, just as loud and earth shattering.” He also communicated that he, “almost blacked out from fear.”

Martin Richard is being remembered as an exuberant boy who enjoyed running and climbing.