Baltimore Riots

The aggression and chaos of angry protestors in Baltimore, Maryland has been internationally noticed after the past week of violent riots. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed due to protests over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, while in police custody. However, two new accounts of what happened to the 25 year old man call into question the events that fueled the protests. The first comes from a relative of one of the officers involved with the arrest, who says the officer thinks Gray was previously injured before going into the police car. The second account comes from another prisoner in the same police van as Gray, who says Gray looked like he was intentionally trying to hurt himself. The Baltimore police are ready to send their investigation to state prosecutors, who will decide whether charges should be filed against any officers.

For more information, visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/prisoner-in-van-said-freddie-gray-was-banging-against-the-walls-during-ride/2015/04/29/56d7da10-eec6-11e4-8666-a1d756d0218e_story.html

Earthquake in Nepal

A massive earthquake hit the Himalayan nation of Nepal on Saturday, April 25^th. With over 4,800 dead and 9,200 injured, the quake has affected over eight million people, interrupting, and in many cases, forever changing their daily lives. The government has provided more than 4,700 tents and 22,000 tarpaulins to those in need of shelter, with another 100,000 expected to arrive from Pakistan. As if this wasn’t enough hardship, the people of Nepal were hit with a landslide in Langtang National Park on Tuesday. Despite government efforts, some areas of Nepal are unable to receive aid due to rugged terrain and poor weather which restricts the use of helicopters. By visiting http://donate.worldvision.org, you can donate to earthquake relief to make a beneficial impact on the lives of those in need in Nepal.

For more information, visit http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32528555

Navy escorting all U.S. Commercial Ships to Iran

Last Friday, Iran Revolutionary Guard ships harassed a U.S.-flagged vessel, the Maersk Kensington, and then later seized another cargo ship flagged in the Marshall Islands. As a result, the Pentagon has approved the plan for U.S. Navy warships to accompany every U.S.-flagged commercial vessel that passes through the Strait of Hormuz due to concerns that Iran’s navy could try to seize a U.S. cargo ship. If it becomes necessary, U.S. warships will escort U.S. commercial ships through the entire Gulf. Officials told CNN that this is the plan to avoid confrontation, not to “play up” the situation.

For more information, visit http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/30/politics/us-navy-escort-cargo-ships-iran-strait-of-hormuz/index.html

Same Sex Marriage in Court

This past Tuesday, the Supreme Court was divided over a case that could make same sex marriage legal in every state. The Court heard two and a half hours of arguments from four different cases, challenging laws in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee that refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, ban same-sex marriage, or both. Same-sex couples say the laws violate the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Justices in the court gave both sides conflicting signals by asking demanding questions. A decision on the case is to be expected in late June.

For more information, visit http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/same-sex-marriage-arguments-supreme-court-117424.html

Bruce Jenner Transition

After years of hiding his true identity, Olympian Brice Jenner has publically announced his gender change during his sit down interview with Diane Sawyer last week. The 65 year old says he feels a massive weight lifted off of him now that he can be open about his life. Since the 1980’s, the Olympian has been taking hormones in order to become the gender he feels he is meant to be. Jenner has a full closet of women’s clothing that he purchases online and has had multiple plastic procedures done to enhance his new look as a woman. He will also be filming a docu-series following his transition that will be shown this summer. Jenner is fully backed by his family during this time of his life, and looks forward to finally being the gender he has always identified with.

For more information, visit http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/02/01/report-bruce-jenner-is-transitioning-into-woman/