Fighting in Kiev Leaves Nearly 100 Dead

A declared truce failed to stop violence, on Thursday, in Kiev. Nearly one hundred people were killed and more than five hundred injured as police and protesters fought.

The casualties came from both sides. Witnesses, including members of the international media, state that at least sixteen of the dead protesters were shot by snipers. Thursday also marked the first time the opposition responded with guns of their own.

Sixty-seven police were captured by protesters and Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko vowed to rescue them and ordered the issuing of "combat weapons" to police. At this point, the military has taken no involvement in the crisis, though Colonel Genera Volodymyr Zamana, the head of Ukraine's military, was replaced and forced to retire, on Wednesday.

In Lviv, a western region of Ukraine, the regional assembly declared itself no longer under the government of President Viktor Yanukovych. It is yet unclear how the national government will react to Lviv's announcement.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland met with opposition leaders and President Yanukovych attempting to bring some sort of reconciliation. However, the EU is backing the protesters and has put sanctions in place against the government. The US government has blocked travel visas for members of the Ukrainian government and is considering sanctions.

Russia accuses the opposition of trying to stage a bloody cue. They also condemn the EU and US decisions as attempts to influence the situation from the outside.

Protests began in November, when the president backed away from a deal to join the EU, and instead turned to Russia. Things had seemed to be calming down, with both sides make gestures of conciliation. Then on Tuesday, the violence began again and became the worst seen.

Violence Keeps Turnout Low in Libya's Constitutional Assembly Vote

On Thursday, Libyans voted to elect a constitutional assembly.

Explosions rocked several polling stations, before dawn, destroying them, but causing no injuries.

Other locations were forcibly closed by gunmen, who declared that "voting is forbidden" and that "there is no constitution but Islamic law".

Around three hundred and sixty thousand Libyans voted despite the violence.

However, that only makes up about twelve percent of registered voters, showing that most Libyans were afraid to even attempt to vote.

Despite the low turnout, a sixty member assembly was chosen, and they will now have four months to draft a constitution.

17 Killed by Mortar Attack in Iraq

Seventeen people were killed when a series of mortar rounds struck a market in Musayyib, Iraq.

Thursday's attack injured another thirty-five people.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A source with the Iraqi government tells us that they believe it to be the work of foreign fighters, possibly members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Nebraska Judge Blocks Keystone XL Pipeline

On Wednesday, Lancaster County Judge Stephanie Stacy blocked construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, through Nebraska.

She ruled that Governor Dave Heineman did not have the legal ability to approve the building of the pipeline.

The Nebraska Legislature voted in 2011 to give Heineman the ability to approve a route through their state.

However, Stacy said that only the Public Service Commission has that right.

The case is now likely to be taken to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Protests in Venezuela Spread to Other Cities

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans continued to protest in Caracas, on Wednesday.

Government supporters faced off against them, causing fighting.

Five people have been killed, over the last week, as multiple shootings have occurred.

On Tuesday, opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez was arrested, and tensions have only risen since then.

Wednesday also saw the spread of the protests to other cities.

Clashes with police in occurred in at least two other cities, including one shooting.

Across the country, hundreds have been injured since the protests began several weeks ago.

Opposition members are demanding that President Nicolas Maduro, the successor of Hugo Chavez resign, accusing him of continuing his tyrannical rule and repressing freedom.

Maduro has followed in the steps of Chavez by accusing foreign governments of stirring up the protests.

Continued Violence in Kiev Leaves 26 Dead

Twenty-six people were killed as violence continued in Kiev, on Wednesday.

At least two hundred and fifty people were injured on both sides, as protesters and police clashed.

Police began the violence on Wednesday, when they tried pushing into and dispersing the protest camp in Independence Square.

Late Wednesday night, President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders declared a truce, however there was no sign of that in the streets.

Fires continue to burn at the barricades with protesters throwing rocks and fire works, both sides throwing alcohol bombs; and the police using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

In a sudden move, Colonel Genera Volodymyr Zamana, the head of Ukraine's military, was replaced and forced to retire.

No reason for the move was given, but shortly after the announcement Ukrainian troops were seen deploying around military bases, in a defense posture.

The head of NATO's military, US General Philip Breedlove, asked the new military leadership to help open a dialogue between the government and opposition.

On Thursday, the foreign minister's of France, Germany, and Poland are to meet with opposition leaders and discuss in what ways the EU can help the situation.

Both the US and the EU announced that they are considering sanctions against the Ukrainian government for their part in the violence.

The protests began in November, when the president backed away from a deal to join the EU, and instead turned to Russia.

Many Ukrainians worry that Yanukovych is taking their country back under Russian influence and fear a loss of their independence from their former Soviet masters.

They have demanded that he leave office, though during negotiations it looked like he might get to stay in place with extremely limited power.

A state of calm had taken place for a few days, but it fell suddenly away when parliament pushed back a vote to reign in the powers of the president, on Tuesday.

USMC: Master Sergeant Aaron C. Torian

Master Sergeant Aaron C. Torian, thirty-six of Paducah, Kentucky, died on February 15.

He was killed during combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Torian was assigned to the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, US Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

His decorations include: Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal.

Bomb Scare Shuts Down Colorado Town

Part of Buena Vista, Colorado was shut down, Tuesday morning, due to a bomb scare.

A bomb was found sticking out of the tail pipe of a pickup truck, at the Buena Vista Library.

Police shut down the center of town, as well as Highway 24, which runs right by the library, and placed schools on lock down.

The El Paso County Bomb Squad was called in to deal with the bomb threat.

Tuesday afternoon, the bomb squad declared all clear after a robot scan showed that there was no actual explosives in the device.

An investigation into the incident continues.

9 Killed in Kiev Protest Violence

Nine people were killed in Kiev as protests turned violent, on Tuesday.

A state of calm had taken place for the last few days, but it fell suddenly away when parliament pushed back a vote to reign in the powers of the president.

Protesters then pushed towards the parliament building and were met by riot police.

Tear gas and water cannons from the police were responded to with alcohol bombs and bricks from the protesters.

Police then switched to percussion grenades and rubber bullets, with some reports of live ammunition also being used.

Firearms are now visibly being carried by protesters as well, though they have been ordered, by their leaders, not to use them.

Seven of those killed were protesters and two were police officers.

Over two hundred others, from both sides, were injured in the clashes.

Following the deadly violence, opposition leaders made an official call to the EU and US, asking for political support for their side.

The protests began in November, when the president backed away from a deal to join the EU, and instead turned to Russia.

Many Ukrainians worry that President Viktor Yanukovych is taking their country back under Russian influence and fear a loss of their independence from their former Soviet masters.

They have demanded that he leave office, though during negotiations it looked like he might get to stay in place with extremely limited power.

Thailand Protests Return With Deadly Violence in Bangkok

Violence returned to the streets of Bangkok as police and protesters clashed, leaving four dead and over one hundred injured.

They also exchanged gunfire, on Tuesday, with some witnesses saying that the police used grenades as well.

Three of those killed were protesters, with the fourth being a member of the police.

It had seemed that protesters had given up, and they had been allowing police to clean up protest camps.

Fifteen thousand police are currently in Bangkok, with protester numbers climbing back into the tens of thousands.

In response to the violence, the military warned that it would intervene if violence continued, however they did not say if they would pick a side in the political arena.

The protests originally began in November, with demands that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra resign, with many demanding she and her family leave the country.

They had seemingly died out last week, after the prime minister's party was able to push through and win elections.