Sen. Wicker, Barack Obama Intended Recipients
By Harold Hutchison

At least two letters tainted with ricin have been intercepted before they could reach officials. The apparent targets of these letters were Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Barack Obama.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the ricin-laced letters were detected at off-site screening facilities in Maryland. Ricin is a bio-toxin that was most famously used by the KGB to assassinate Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov in London in 1978.

Video by Massachusetts National Guard

Video by Pentagon Channel

Bombs Halt Marathon
By Harold Hutchison

Piracy Drops, but Militants Carry Out Bloody Attack
By Harold Hutchison

Piracy around Somalia has declined significantly according to report from the International Maritime Organization, part of a general downward trend for piracy in general.

According to a report by VOA News, only five piracy incidents were reported off Somalia in the first quarter of 2013 – part of a 55 percent decline in attacks worldwide. Naval patrols have been particularly intense off Somalia. A total of 66 piracy incidents were reported worldwide.

Close Result in Venezuela Could Create Chaos
By Harold Hutchison

Nicolas Maduro, the chosen successor to deceased Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, claimed victory in Sunday’s election for the presidency of Venezuela, with 50.7% of the vote. However, opposition candidate Henrique Caprilas is demanding a recount.

"Maduro and his government are the losers," Capriles said, as he claimed 300,000 incidents involving voters. Maduro was the chosen successor of Chavez, who died of cancer last month. The results showed a margin of victory of 235,000 votes.

First 100 Troops Leave Mali
By Harold Hutchison

As the first 100 French troops left Mali, a sign that France is ending an intervention against Islamist rebels aligned with al-Qaeda, many in Mali are wary of the departure, even as 11,000 African Union troops are slated to take over.

According to a report by VOA News, the French force is likely to decline to about 1,000 by the end of the year. The French did much of the heavy lifting the conflict.

Army Officer Labels FRC, AFA in E-mail
By Harold Hutchison

Christian groups like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association were labeled as “hate groups” by an Army officer in an e-mail sent to his subordinates. The officer, a Lt. Col. Jack Rich, wrote, “Just want to ensure everyone is somewhat educated on some of the groups out there that do not share our Army Values.”