Home- On Fri., March 22, the third marking period for the 2012-2013 school year ended, just as many students rejoiced at the start of spring break. The marking period ended Friday but students were given an extra day off due to the teachers’ professional day on April 2. This year students are going on teacher run trips, traveling with their families, celebrating Easter or Passover or just simply relaxing.

United States- On Mon., March 18, seven Marines were killed after an explosion occurred during a training exercise in western Nevada, at Hawthorne Army Depot. While the explosion occured on Monday, the Marines did not comment until Tues., March 19.The cause of blast, which took place Monday night, was by a 60 mm round that detonated inside of a mortar tube. Aside from the death of seven marines, one Marine and sailor suffered very serious injuries and four Marines are in serious condition. The names of the Marines were Pfc. Joshua M. Martino, 19, Clearfield, Pennsylvania; Lance Cpl. David P. Fenn II, 20, Polk City, Florida; Lance Cpl. Roger W. Muchnick Jr., 23, Fairfield, Connecticut; Lance Cpl. Joshua C. Taylor, 21, Marietta, Ohio; Lance Cpl. Mason J. Vanderwork, 21, Hickory, North Carolina; Lance Cpl. William T. Wild IV, 21, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Cpl. Aaron J. Ripperda, 26, Madison, Illinois. (Source: CNN)

Globe- On Tues., March 19, Iraq conducted attacks and assassinations on the eve of the 10th anniversary of America’s invasion of Iraq. In the early morning, an assassination took place as a Ministry of Finance official was killed by a bomb attached to his vehicle followed by hours of lethal attacks throughout the day. By midmorning, the numbers totaled at 52 dead and nearly 180 wounded in attacks that included 16 car bombs, two adhesive bombs stuck to cars and one assassination with a silenced gun. (Source: New York Times)