42 Dead in Violence in Ukraine

At least forty-two people are dead after violence spread in Ukraine, and also spreading the fears of civil war.

The worst of the violence happened in Odessa, where at least thirty-five died in fighting between pro Russian groups and Ukrainian nationalists.

According to authorities, many of the pro Russians were found to be carrying IDs from neighboring Moldova.

They are using the incident to once again accuse Russia of meddling with Ukrainian affairs.

In the east, Ukrainian military forces continue their moves against pro Russian separatists, reclaiming several key structures.

Meanwhile, Russia stated that Ukraine's lack of ability to protect it's own people is cause for Russian troops to enter Ukraine and help "protect" the separatists from Ukraine's government.

Ukraine and many other countries have repeatedly said that Russia is behind the turmoil and supporting the separatists.

Russia, has maintained fifty thousand troops, along the border, with Ukraine, since March while they were annexing Crimea.

The presence of the troops has made the Ukrainian government hesitant to act against the separatists, til now.

2,500 Dead After Afghanistan Landslide

Authorities have stopped search and rescue efforts in north east Afghanistan.

Friday a massive landslide buried much of Ab Barik, in Badakhshan province, after heavy rains.

Later in the day things were made worse when a second slide reburied everything, including hundreds of would be rescuers.

Officials believe that as many as twenty-five hundred people were killed between the two slides.
Due to the danger of a third slide, officials have called off any search.

They also state their doubts that there are survivors in the town, which was buried with twenty to three hundred feet of mud and dirt.

New York City Subway Train Derails

A New York City subway train derailed, Friday morning.

It happened near 65th Avenue and Broadway, in Queens.

Several minor injuries occurred, but nothing serious or life threatening.

However, due to the derailment, several lines are without service.

At this time the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has no set time for when they will be reopened.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the derailment.

Several Dead as Pro Russia Separatists Battle With Ukraine's Military Outside Slovyansk

Open fighting has begun around Slovyansk, Ukraine, between government troops and pro Russian separatists.

There are reports of multiple deaths on the separatist side, though no confirmed numbers.

Dozens more have been injured or arrested as government forces make an attempt to recapture the city.

Two Ukrainian helicopters were shot down by separatist militias, resulting in the deaths of two Ukrainian servicemen.

Ukraine used the incidents to once again say that Russia is actively instigating, backing, supporting, and arming the militias.

Russia responded by once again denying their involvement, and by restating the "right" to send troops into Ukraine to "protect those of Russian descent".

250 Dead, 2000 Missing After Mudslide in Afghanistan

At least two hundred and fifty people are dead after heavy rains caused a mudslide in Afghanistan.

As many as two thousand are missing from Ab Barik, after a hill fell onto the town.

The town lies in Badakhshan province, in the north east of the country.

Rescue attempts are underway, but they are hindered by lack of equipment as well as the difficult terrain that must be crossed to reach the town.

Southern California Wildfire Forces Thousands of Evacuations in Rancho Cucamonga

Thousands of residents in Rancho Cucamonga have been forced to evacuate due to a wildfire, which started Wednesday morning.

Winds approaching seventy miles per hour helped spread the fire to over one thousand acres.

Over seven hundred firefighters are battling the blaze.

The winds also kept firefighting aircraft from joining the fight.

Due to spreading blaze, officials ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents, from nearly two thousand homes and the closure of seven schools.

High temperatures, possibly reaching triple digits, low humidity, and continued winds are expected to continue making things difficult, for the next few days.

Oil Train Derails and Catches Fire in Lynchburg, Virginia

An oil train derailed and caught fire in Lynchburg, Virgina, on Wednesday afternoon.

Fifteen cars of the train derailed, with three catching fire.

Nearly four hundred people were forced from their homes, due to the fire and smoke.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, after a several hour battle, and residents were allowed back into their homes.

Concerns now are focused on the oil that leaked into the James River, which flows into Chesapeake Bay.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the derailment.

Turchynov Admits Ukraine Unable to Stop Pro Russia Separatists

Turchynov

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov admitted that the nations forces are unable to stop the eastern separatists.

Meanwhile, the separatists took over more cities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The President stated that the military and police are unable to stop them, without massive casualties and descending into civil war.

Turchynov added that his goals now are to keep the separatists from entering other regions, of Ukraine.

He also reiterated his fears that Russia will invade, using the separatism as an excuse, just as they did in Crimea.

US Army: Private First Class Christian J. Chandler

Private First Class Christian J. Chandler, twenty of Trenton, Texas, died on April 28.

He was killed during combat in Baraki Barak District, Logar Province, Afghanistan.

It was his first tour of duty.

Chandler was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York.

His decorations include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge.

US Army: Sergeant Shawn M. Farrell II

Sergeant Shawn M. Farrell II, twenty-four of Accord, New York, died on April 28.

He was killed during combat, in Nejrab District, Kapisa province, Afghanistan.

It was his second combat tour.

Farrell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York.

His decorations include: Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge.