Chardon High School shooter pleads guilty
T.J. Lane admitted Tuesday that he used a Ruger .22-caliber handgun to spray the Chardon High School cafeteria with bullets a year ago, killing three students and wounding three others in a shooting rampage. Lane, 18, pleaded guilty in Geauga County Common Pleas Court to charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault. He will be sentenced March 19 after a background investigation is completed. Lane faces life in prison but not the death penalty because he was a juvenile when the shootings occurred. It will be up to the judge to determine if Lane will be eligible for parole. Lane could be released as early as 2036, but he could also be sentenced to a term without parole.
Source: Cleveland.com
NATO admits mistake in claiming decrease in Taliban attacks
A report posted on the website of a NATO-led force had originally claimed there had been a seven percent drop in Taliban attacks in 2012, however, after being questioned, the figure was removed from the site. U.S. and Western officials have often pointed to decreasing violence in Afghanistan as a sign that their mission is being met with success. Earlier this month, the outgoing commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, insisted the coalition is on the road to winning the war. Correspondents say the Taliban are a long way from being defeated, still mounting regular attacks with devastating effects. The group is still in de facto control of many parts of the country. No new figure has been posted.
Source: CNN
Vatican reveals new title for Benedict XVI
With Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy now over, the former pope will still keep the honorific “His Holiness” and will also be known as “Pope Emeritus.” This title clears up questions about how Benedict — the first Pope to resign in almost 600 years — should be addressed following his resignation. Benedict plans to move into a life of seclusion and prayer following his final address on Wednesday. The dean cardinal will summon the cardinals on March 1 to a general congregation which could come as soon as March 4, although the date is not fixed. The cardinals will then decide exactly when to hold the conclave, during which they will vote for the new Pope.