North Carolina University Put on Lockdown

North Carolina A&T State University, in Greensboro, was placed under lockdown, on Monday morning.

Police received a report of a man with a rifle in the General Classroom Building, just before 10:00 EDT.

That prompted a lockdown of the campus, which includes not just the university but two public high schools as well.

Campus police and the Greensboro Police Department responded and searched the campus, but found nothing.

The lockdown was lifted just before 13:00 EDT and classes resumed at 14:00 EDT.

Assad Applies For Candidacy in Syria's Next Election

With Syria's elections approaching on June 3, candidates have begun applying for candidacy.

On Monday, President Bashar al-Assad made his candidacy announcement, asking for the country's parliament to approve it.

He became the seventh candidate, for the elections, though it is unexpected for any of the others to actually show a real challenge to his third term.

This comes as the country is in it's third year of civil war, with the other side's main goal being the removal of Assad from power.

The Syrian National Coalition, the government in exile of the rebels, has declared the upcoming election to be illegitimate.

Assad's government has not yet made it clear how the elections will take place, as much of the country is not under their control.

2 Planes Collide Over San Fransisco Bay

Cessna 210, top, Hawker Sea Fury, bottom

Two planes collided over San Fransisco Bay, on Sunday afternoon.

Officials say that the collision involved a Cessna 210 and a Hawker Sea Fury TMK 20.

The pilot of the Hawker was able to successfully land at nearby small airport, without injury.

Unfortunately, the Cessna crashed into the Bay, and it's pilot is missing.

A search was conducted through Sunday evening, without success in finding the pilot.

An investigation is underway to determine what led to the collision.

OSCE Observers Seized in Ukraine by Pro Russia Separatists

A bus carrying members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was seized by Pro Russian separatists near Sloviansk, Ukraine.

Seven international observers belonging to the OSCE, five members of the Ukrainian military, and their driver were aboard the bus.

They have been taken to an undisclosed location, with the separatists accusing them of being spies.

International observer missions had been agreed to by the US, EU, Ukraine, and Russia, in Geneva, however not been agreed to by the separatists.

The detaining of the international observers is but one more addition to the high tensions in eastern Ukraine.

Separatists have seized several towns in the area, while Ukrainian troops have begun slowly reclaiming territory.

However, Russia continues it's threats to invade Ukraine if things aren't done peacefully.

Backing those threats are fifty thousand Russian troops who are conducting maneuvers just east of the border.

NATO nations are on increasing alert due to the deteriorating situation, which has not been helped by Russia's continued belligerence.

As part of the increased preparedness, US troops have arrived in Poland to take part in exercises with NATO nations.

25 Killed by 3 Explosions at Political Rally in Baghdad

Twenty-five people were killed when three explosions struck a political rally, in Baghdad.

Dozens more were injured.

Officials say that two truck bombs and a roadside bomb were used in the terrorist attack.

The explosions happened as the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq rally was coming to a close.


The Shiite Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq party is backed by Iran and openly supports the Syrian regime.

Their international connections have angered Sunni opponents, and terrorists from that branch of Islam are likely to blame.

Iraqi elections are set to take place on Wednesday, April 30.

The country has faced some of it's worst violence, in years, as they approach.

5 Separatists Killed as Ukraine Liberates Slovyansk

Ukrainian troops pushed into Slovyansk, on Thursday, as part of an operation to liberate eastern Ukraine from Pro Russian militants.

Five separatists were killed during the operation.

Ukraine accuses Russia of backing and instigating the separatists.

Russia denies that they have any part in it, but have repeatedly stated their "right" to "defend" Ukrainians of Russian descent.

They used the same argument during their seizing of Crimea, in March.

As many as fifty thousand Russian troops are encamped just east of the border.

On Thursday, in response to the Slovyansk raid, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Russian troops will conduct more military exercises.

US Troops Begin Arriving in Poland

US troops began arriving in Poland, on Wednesday.

One hundred and fifty of a planned six hundred troops, from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, were greeted in the Polish town of Swidwin.

They are to conduct exercises with the Polish military as well as the militaries of Estonia, Lativa, and Lithuania.

The goal of the exercises is further training for all those involved, as well as an assurance to the NATO nations that the US will defend them against any possibly Russian threats.

At this time the US plans to have an increased presence through out the rest of 2014.

It is yet unclear if that means restationing the 173rd from their normal base in Vicenza, Italy or if there will be a rotation of units.

Jets From Russia Approach Scotland Causing UK Fighters to Scramble

The Royal Air Force scrambled fighters on Wednesday, when Russian jets approached Scottish air space.

According to British officials, RAF Typhoons were sent up to warn Russian reconnaissance aircraft away from the UK's airspace, after they approached northern Scotland. 

Denmark and the Netherlands also scrambled fighters, during the incident.

They sent up their fighters to ensure that the Russians didn't turn their way and cross over their countries.

This comes while several Russian naval ships have been sailing within a mile of British waters.

Those ships are being shadowed by Royal Navy forces.

Denver Police Looking For Bank Robber After 3 Robberies

Police in Denver, Colorado are looking for a bank robber.

They say that the same man is behind three separate robberies, over the past year.

The first robbery took place in May of 2013 and the last was on April 18.

All three robberies occurred at banks on 38th Avenue.

He is described as being in his fifties or sixties, six foot, two hundred and ten pounds, with grey hair.

Police consider him armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.

US Agrees to Military Exercises With Poland and Estonia

Over the next couple weeks, US troops will conduct military exercises in eastern Europe.

So far, they are scheduled to have the exercises with Poland and Estonia.

Both countries are NATO members who border Russia, and have expressed concerns about recent Russian military buildups and incursions into Ukraine.

Other countries may become involved in the same or other exercises, as much of NATO eyes Russia warily.

Ukraine, not a member of NATO, is dealing with separatists, which they say are being instigated by Russia.

In March, Russia took over Crimea, enforcing it's removal from Ukraine.