USMC: Lance Corporal Caleb L. Erickson

Lance Corporal Caleb L. Erickson, twenty of Waseca, Minnesota, died on February 28.

He was killed in combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Erickson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Colorado Police Looking For Man Who Shot Loveland Officer

Colorado police are looking for a man who shot a Loveland officer.

Officer Garret Osilka was shot while trying to pull over a blue Jeep Cherokee, Sunday night near 17th Street and North Wilson Avenue.

He returned fire, striking the suspect, but the man was still able to drive away.

Other police officers found the Jeep abandoned near Aspen Drive and Taft Avenue, early Monday morning.

The area was locked down, with residents told to stay in their homes, while police searched for the suspect, but he was not found.

Hospitals are on the lookout for anyone seeking treatment for a gun shot wound.

At this time, no description of the suspect has been released.

Osilka is in the intensive care unit, but is expected to recover.

Ukraine's Troops Given Deadline by Russia

Putin

Ukrainian troops besieged in Crimea announced that they were told by Russian troops to surrender by dawn Tuesday. If they do not surrender, they were promised with death.

One Ukrainian base was attacked with flash bang grenades, which injured an officer. Ukrainian troops responded with warning shots fired into the air.

At least six thousand Russian troops have already invaded the Crimea, with armor buildups visible just on the other side of the border. The Russian Grand Assembly gave Putin permission to sent troops in "to protect Russians" inside of Ukraine.

In response, Ukraine has mobilized it's entire military, including the reserves. However all troops are under orders not to shoot unless fired upon. Ukraine is making sure that they can not be blamed for starting a war.

Internationally, the US, EU, and other countries have warned Russia to pull out of Crimea or face economic and diplomatic fall out. However, no one has promised to aid Ukraine in defending itself, if it is invaded by Russia.

11 Killed by Suicide Bombers in Islamabad

Two suicide bombers attacked a district court complex, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday morning.

According to witnesses, they walked into the complex throwing grenades and began shooting.

Their attack lasted about forty-five minutes until they ran out of ammunition and then blew themselves up.

Eleven people were killed and twenty-five more were injured, in the attack.

The attack comes just the day after Pakistan's government agreed to a cease fire which had been offered by the Taliban.

A spokesman for the Taliban was quick to deny the attack, and it was later claimed by the Ahrar ul Hind terrorist group.

Ahrar ul Hind's spokesman stated that they will continue the attacks until full sharia law rules over all of Pakistan.

Ukraine Mobilizes Troops in Case of Invasion by Russia

Ukraine called up it's army reserves, on Sunday, and prepared to fight off a Russian invasion.

Troops in unmarked uniforms, but clearly with Russian equipment, have seized control of most of the Crimea, from Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops have been besieged, on their own bases, by around six thousands of these troops.

Russia has threatened to invade eastern Ukraine, though they claim that it would be to "protect Russians" in the country.

Their national press has issued reported of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians rushing to the border seeking "their protection", however pictures from the border show it to be all but deserted.

One hundred and fifty thousand Russian troops are conducting "war games" not far to the east of the border, but have not shown any attempts to cross.

Matters have not been helped, as pro Russian protests have sprung up in some cities, such as Kharkiv, which lies near the border.

Ukrainians blame the Russians for causing the protests, which had mostly had not existed until the unmarked troops began spreading from near Russian rented bases in Crimea.

Meanwhile, the western world has warned Russia to back off and not escalate matters.

The US has threatened to impose sanctions if Russia continues down this path, but it is unclear if the EU would even respond with similar measures.

None of the western countries are even considering any kind of military response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and therefore not giving Russia any real reason not to continue.

Ukraine is not an official member of NATO, so an invasion would not require NATO to come to it's aid, however Ukrainian troops have aided NATO in the past.

Haredim Protest in Jerusalem Against Draft Bill

An estimated three hundred thousand Haredim took part in a mass protest in Jerusalem, on Sunday afternoon.

The Ultra Orthodox Jews were protesting government plans to draft them into the military.

Israel has mandatory service for most Israelis, though Orthodox Jews had been previously exempt.

However, a bill before Israel's parliament would allow for a few thousand to be drafted, though not all of them, unless a quota of five thousand isn't met by 2017.

Secular Israeli's support the bill as they see the exemptions as unfair.

Many Ultra Orthodox Jews feel that their beliefs keep them from serving in the military.

North Korea Launches 2 More Missiles

For the second time in four days, North Korea made a missile launch.

As they did on Thursday, the North launched missiles into the Sea of Japan, as part of "tests".

The two short range missiles struck nothing as they harmlessly hit the middle of the sea.

The launches came while South Korea and the US hold joint military exercises, something North Korea always decries occurring.

1 Dead After 104 Car Pileup in Denver

One person was killed and twenty people were hospitalized after a massive pileup, in Denver, Saturday morning.

Slick conditions, caused by recent snow, led to the accidents.

It began about 10:40 MST and left all lanes of northbound Interstate 25 closed between Logan and Broadway.

Just before 16:00 MST, the freeway was reopened, after all necessary cleanups were made.

Russia Prepares to Invade Ukraine After Seizing Crimea

Putin

On Saturday, Russia officially moved towards an invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin asked the Federal Assembly to allow troops to be sent due to the "extraordinary situation in Ukraine, the threat to the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation, our compatriots". Within moments they gave him a unanimous yes vote.

This comes a day after unmarked Russian troops seized the Crimea. Ukraine's interim President Oleksander Turchinov called upon the EU and NATO to defend his country against the Russians. However, the response from the world has been one of warning, as none of the western nations want to actually tangle with Russia.

Meanwhile, pro Russian demonstrators protested in several cities in the east of Ukraine. In some cases they turned violent, especially in Kharkiv, and attacked government buildings, tearing down Ukrainian flags and raising Russian ones.

Putin's moves are very similar to those he made over Georgia. His 2008 invasion of the former member of the Soviet Union, was also met by not but words from the west. Georgia has been occupied by Russia, ever since. 

Dual Explosions Strike Busy Market in Nigeria

Two explosions struck a market in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Saturday.

At least ten people were killed by the blasts and dozens more were injured.

They struck minutes apart, in a movie theater which was airing a Premier League football game.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.