Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

Earthquake Kills Thousands, Destroys Several Historic Landmarks (Apr. 25): A magnitude-7.8 earthquake strikes central Nepal, near the capital, Katmandu, killing nearly 4,000 people, injuring tens of thousands, and damaging or destroying thousands of structures, including the treasured Dharahara Tower and the temple complex Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It causes avalanches on Mt. Everest, which kills at least 17 people. The earthquake is felt throughout the country and affects others in Asia. Continuous aftershocks complicate rescue efforts and further traumatize a nation stunned by catastrophic loss. Nepal's rugged, mountainous terrain makes the search for survivors and attempts to deliver food and medical supplies to affected areas perilous endeavors. Seismologists have predicted an earthquake would hit Nepal, but the country was ill-prepared for a disaster of this scale.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

2015 Begins with Continued Job Growth (Feb. 6): According to the Labor Department, the U.S. economy adds 257,000 jobs in the first month of 2015. The report also says that an additional 147,000 jobs were added in November and December of last year. The unemployment rate increases slightly from 5.6% in December 2014 to 5.7% in January. However, analysts say that slight increase is an encouraging sign, not a negative one, because it means more out of work Americans are actively seeking employment.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

Boko Haram Launches Deadly Assault on Baga (Jan. 8): Boko Haram takes over Baga, Nigeria, the only major town in Borno state to resist being taken over by the group. News reports say the militants burned the city to the ground and massacred hundreds, if not thousands, of citizens, making it one of the most deadly assaults by Boko Haram. A multinational force, manned with troops from Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, has been stationed in Baga. Goodluck Jonathan is widely criticized for not condemning the attack, and his silence may be met with dissent from voters in February's presidential elections.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

February Brings More Jobs than Expected (Mar. 6): According to the Labor Department, the U.S. economy adds 295,000 jobs in February, exceeding expectations. Even more good news, the unemployment rate decreases from 5.7% in January to 5.5% in February. The only disappointing news is wage increases, which have increased only 2% since last year, a sign that the economy still has a long way to go for a full recovery.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

• Nigeria Postpones Election (Feb. 6):Nigeria's election commission postpones for six weeks presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 14 after the military says it cannot protect voters in the northeast from Boko Haram. Some question if the decision is influenced by President Jonathan, whose victory is by no means guaranteed. Indeed, he faces a strong challenge from Muhammadu Buhari, a former military leader who was behind a 1983 coup.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

• Houthis Dissolve Yemen Parliament (Feb. 6): The Houthis dissolve Yemen's Parliament and announce it will be replaced with a national council that will form a committee to name a new president. In response to the turmoil,Saudi Arabia withholds aid to Yemenbecause of the Houthis' ties to Iran. In an attempt to form a compromise government, the UN brokers talks between the Houthis and rival political parties. However, the negotiations quickly break down.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

Shoppers crowded into a Manhattan Home Depot store to prepare for an anticipated snowstorm streamed into the streets Sunday afternoon after an employee shot a store manager and then himself, according to NYPD spokesman Sgt. Brendan Ryan. The 38-year-old manager, who was shot in an aisle of the store, was transported to Bellevue Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Ryan said. The shooter, a 31-year-old male worker at the store, was not scheduled to work when he came in, Ryan said. The shooter was pronounced dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the NYPD. Police recovered a .38-caliber revolver at the scene, Ryan said. Police did not speculate on a motive for the shooting, noting that the incident is still under investigation.

Kaitlyn Luckey 6 period

More than a foot of snow had fallen just south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The National Weather Service says Amarillo recorded its 11th snowiest day on record, dating back to 1892. El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, accustomed to only a wintry dusting, were seeing more than their usual share of the white stuff. On Thursday, snow continued to fall in eastern New Mexico and El Paso, where several road closures and school closures were announced. The Texas Department of Transportation was warning motorists to stay off the roads and watch for black ice on roadways in the El Paso area. New Mexico State Police tweeted several road closures and crashes due to "whiteout conditions."

The ugliest dog. Kaitlyn Luckey

A first glance, Mugly, a 10-year-old Chinese crested dog, is a rather unappealing and unfortunate-looking animal. With a few random hairs protruding from his snout, a pair of squinty, beady eyes and thin, patchy skin, his genetics didn't do much for his exterior. But beauty isn't skin deep. And that is exactly what photographer Bego Anton wants to portray through her pictures of Mugly. Ugly Mugly is a reflection on how we relate to our pets and how what is close and important to us can change our perceptions on terms such as beauty," Anton said.