By: Meredith Francis ~Campus News Editor~

Presidential candidates for 2016 announce candidacy
Hillary Clinton, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have all put their names in the race for the 2016 presidential election. In recent weeks, Paul, Cruz and Rubio announced their intent to run in the Republican primary. Several more Republicans are expected to join the race. Hillary Clinton also announced her candidacy in an online video, confirming media speculation that she would run.

Boston Marathon bombing suspect convicted
Cuba removed from terrorism sponsor list Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was convicted for his role in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. The jury found Tsarnaev guilty on all 30 criminal counts and will now deliberate on the penalty that Tsarvaev will receive. The bombings killed three people and injured 260 at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Cuba removed from terrorism sponsor list
President Obama announced in a message to Congress that he would remove Cuba from a list of countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism. Though the decision is ultimately the President’s, Congress will have 45 days to decide whether or not to uphold the removal from the list and pursue further diplomatic agreements. Obama’s announcement comes in the months following the reopening of diplomatic relations with Cuba.

U.N. enacts arms embargo on Yemeni rebels
The United Nations recently imposed an arms embargo on the Houthi rebels fighting the government in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has led the fight against the Houthis in Yemen, claiming that Iran is backing Houthi fighters. Iran has denied the claim, though U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says that Iran is providing Houthi fighters with weapons. The conflict has raised concerns about a potential proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.