In case you’ve been buried in your books or living in the library for the past week, here are some of the top news stories that have been trending all over the world to catch you up on what you’ve missed.
Boston Marathon Suspects Targeted NYC Next
Following the capture and arrest of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy, Tsarnaev has told investigators that he and his brother planned to bomb Times Square in New York City with the remaining explosives that they had. The two brothers had five pipe bombs and a “pressure-cooker bomb,” but the plan to travel to New York City failed when the driver of the hijacked car escaped while they were refueling and the police were then able to later capture the Tsarnaevs. Fortunately, investigators have noted that there is currently no evidence that suggests that New York City is currently a target of a terror attack following the Boston attacks.
For more information on this story go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/25/us/boston-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Bangladesh Building Collapse
An eight-story building collapsed suddenly on Wednesday in Bangladesh, killing at least 123 people and injuring more than 1,000. The scene was filled with the badly injured victims being taken away on stretchers and several frantically picking out dead bodies from the rubble. Officials are saying that the death toll could increase rapidly with each day as new bodies are found in the wreckage. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, but several workers have stated that they noticed a crack appeared Tuesday on the building’s seventh floor.
For more information on this story go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/24/world/asia/bangladesh-building-collapse/index.html?iref=storysearch
Usage of Chemical Weapons in Syria
The United States announced that there is evidence proving that the chemical weapon sarin has been used in Syria. Chuck Hagel, Defense Secretary of the United States, made the announcement on Thursday, but officials are still uncovering and trying to answer several questions that still remain surrounding the origins of the chemical weapon and what effect its evident use could have on the continuing Syrian civil war. The Syrian government has been combatting a rebellion for more than two years, causing international disapproval of the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and appeals for stronger assistance from other nations. Since the conflict began, the death toll has reached to numbers of over 70,000. Syria’s usage of this chemical weapon has crossed President Barack Obama’s red line and numerous officials are calling for a complete investigation and immediate action.
For more information on this story go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/25/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Ricin Investigation Continues
On Wednesday, FBI agents investigated a Tupelo man, James Everett Dutschke, who has been connected to the letters containing ricin that were sent to President Barack Obama. Agents in hazardous materials suits searched the former martial arts studio of Dutschke, following the search of his home on Tuesday. Also occurring on Tuesday was the dropping of charges by prosecutors and release of the man who was arrested last week on suspicion of sending the letters. Dutschke has not been officially made a suspect and no concrete charges have been filed. Officials have not released what they found in their searches, if anything.
For more information on this story go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/24/us/ricin-suspect-released/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews
13-Year-Old Amputee Raises Money for Boston Marathon Victims
In light of the recent attack on Boston and the hundreds of victims who needed amputations, brothers Harris, Justin and Michael Stolzenberg have made a pledge to raise $1 million dollars for the victims. Through their website http://mikeysrun.com the brothers have already raised $17,000 in just a few days. Their goal draws inspiration from the youngest brother Michael, who suffered a serious bacterial infection at the age of 8 and came close to death after suffering from a septic shock, a lack of oxygen to his limbs, and a two-week medically induced coma. While Michael survived, both of his arms and legs were amputated. Michael wears prosthetics and even plays football and lacrosse. While Harris plans to run the Boston Marathon next year, the three hope to reach their goal and support the victims in any way they can.
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