Italy Earthquake Update

More than 90 people are dead, and 1,500 more injured as a result of an earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy. The earthquake took place in the mountains in central Italy this morning. Rescue workers searched through piles of crumbled homes and buildings searching for survivors.

One of the buildings affected was a dormitory at the University of L'Aquila. Outside, students were huddled together wrapped in blankets.

"We managed to come down with other students but we had to sneak through a hole in the stairs as the whole floor came down,"said student Luigi Alfonsi, 22. "I was in bed - it was like it would never end as I heard pieces of the building collapse around me."

The Mayor of L'Aquila said about 100,000 people were homeless as a result of the quake, and parts of many ancient churches and castles have collapsed.

The U.S.Geological Survey said the quake was a magnitude 6.3, and more than dozen aftershocks followed.

Blocks of walls, steel supports, and other parts of buildings are scattered throughout the streets of L'Aquila, and gray dust blanketed the sidewalks.

Parts of the main hospital also had to be evacuated, and more than two other cities were hit by the quake.

This was Italy's deadliest earthquake since 1980.

Empire State Building to Go Green

The lights at the top of the Empire State Building already change color on a regular basis depending on holiday's, sporting events, or events throughout the world. For example, on St. Patty's day, the Empire State building may be lit a shade of green.

Now, the building wants to go green full time. But not just with its lights. Former President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hope the plan to cut the buildings energy use by 38 percent will serve as an example for other large buildings worldwide.

The plan is projected to save about $4.4 million per year in energy costs. One of the changes would see 6,500 windows replaced with new ones designed to keep the heat out in the summer, lowering air conditioning costs, and to keep the heat in during the winter, lowering heating costs.

Each office will also be quipped with new software showing how much energy each office uses, so it can be better managed.

The entire plan will cost around $20 million and details of the proposal will be given today at a news conference.

Bypassing Background Checks in Gun Sales

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allows citizens the right to bear arms. But, not everyone can purchase guns at a store without a license, or going through a proper background check. For those who want to own a gun without going through all the paperwork, there is a loophole in gun ownership laws.

According to Doug Rainbow, a licensed gun dealer, and an ex-sheriff, private sales of shotguns, rifles, and semi-automatics do not require background checks.

"The downside of that is if someone comes into your home and buys a gun and they can have 150 felonies - you don't know," Rainbow said. But, if someone wants to buy a pistol or a handgun, buyers must possess a gun license.

Rainbow also said age verification is not required. So, if a 16-year-old wants to buy a rifle through a private transaction, there is no legal consequence. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has no problem with private sales. "We support the private sale of guns because gun owners are amongst the most law abiding citizens. The few times I've ever sold a firearm to anybody it was to someone I knew and trusted. Can I vouch for everyone? No," Scott Armstrong, NRA spokesperson, said.

David Stineberg, manager of RA-Lin gun shop, said it is best to leave a paper trail even in a private transaction.

"If the gun is ever used in a crime they have proof to show that it was sold," Stineberg said.

Arctic Ice Thinnest Ever

Arctic ice is thinner than ever before, NASA researchers said. According to researchers, 90 percent of the sea ice in the Arctic is less than two years old, making it more vulnerable to melting during the summer months.

Sea ice is important, because ice reflects the sun from the Earth. If there is less ice in the Arctic, more heat will be absorbed by the ocean, leading to warmer temperatures on Earth.

Syracuse Flyers Expanding?

The Syracuse Flyers wheelchair basketball team has been playing for over thirty years, but Gregory Callen, a member of the team, is looking to expand the opportunities for those in the handicapped community.

Callen's idea is the make the Syracuse Flyers the Move Along Foundation, which will raise money to fund new activities for the members of CNY Adaptive Sports.

The expansion would include the addition of new sports such as tennis and hockey, and the funding would go towards better facilities, team coaches, and new equipment.

Veterans of the Syracuse Flyers say that the cost of playing sports can be expensive, starting with the wheelchair, which can cost several thousand dollars. With the added funding, the hope is that the expenses can become more affordable.

Bob Prenoveau has been playing for the Flyers for over thirty years and says the prospect of funding is a big opportunity for the future of those who take part in wheelchair sports.

More Bombings in India

Less than a week after a bombing in northeastern India, two more bombs have ripped through crowded markets Monday.The bombing has left at least seven people dead, and 60 others wounded in the state of Assam.

According to G.M. Srivastava, India's top police official, the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom is responsible for the attacks.
"This is a coordinated attack," Srivastava said.

The bomb was most likely tied to a motorbike, and exploded in the middle of a market in Gauhati, Srivastava said. A couple hours after the bombing in Gauhati, another bomb exploded in another crowded market in the town of Dhekiajuli, about 130 miles north of Gauhati. Police said this bomb was tied to a bicycle when it went off. Militants later threw a grenade into a police station, injuring two police officers.
Srivastava said police had received information earlier about a possible major attack in Gauhati. He said the attacks came at the even of the 30th anniversary of the separatist group.

Many attacks in the region have been linked to the United Liberation Front of Asom, and have occurred around the anniversary of its founding. According to Srivastava, the group wants an independent state for the ethnic Assamese. The ethnic group claims India is exploiting the region of its natural resources providing any benefit to them.

Binghamton Shooting Update

Funerals were scheduled today for two victims of the shooting at a Binghamton, NY immigration center. Maria Zobniw and Hong Xiu Mao were two of the thirteen people killed by shooter Jiverly Wong Friday morning before Wong turned the gun on himself

A receptionist at the center, Shirley DeLucia was the first to be shot, feigned her death, called 911 and remained on the line for over forty minutes. DeLucia is not so keen on the idea of being referred to as a hero.

"The only thing that we know right now from her is when thegunman came in, she got up to ask him if she could help him and hejust didn't say anything I guess," said Lyle Fassett.

"He got his gun and shot her. She remembers falling backwards and down andthat's pretty much it. We haven't gotten too much more out of her."

In an interview on NBC's "Today" show Monday morning, Wong's sister said her brother suffered from depression after losing his job and having poor English skills. Originally, she thought there had been a mistake in that her brother was a victim, and not the shooter. On behalf of her family, she apologized to the victims and their families.

Wong had become an avid shooter and had been visiting a shooting range weekly, but police chief Joseph Zikuski says the targets of the shooting at the immigration center may have been random.

DeLucia is expected to make a full recovery, but her doctor, Christian Tvetenstrand says the shot could have been fatal.

"It was millimeters away from the main blood vessels in her abdomen," he said. "If it had struck those, she would have died."

DeLucia is expected to stay in the hospital in five or six days.