News on the Go: April 26, 2013

Maura Zurick

Rick O. Smith, the man suspected of breaking into a Manchester, Ill., home and killing five of the family members who lived there with a shotgun, is believed to be in some kind of dispute with one of the victims. Authorities said Thursday they are still trying to determine if it had something to do with the custody of a child. Smith allegedly shot and killed a 1-year-old baby, a 5-year-old brother, a pregnant mother, a father and a great grandmother. A 6-year-old sister was also shot but survived. Smith was killed after a shootout with police. (read full story here)

Elephant meat is being sold in food markets in villages near a famous wildlife reserve in Central African Republic. This comes just one month after rebels believed to be involved in poaching overthrew the government, conservationists said Thursday. The Dzanga-Sangha Reserve has been home to more than 3,400 elephants. At least 40 have been killed since the rebels took over on March 24. (read full story here)

The U.S. military said more prisoners have joined the hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay. Lt. Col. Samuel House said 94 men are on the hunger strike. However, lawyers for some of the prisoners said the military has been undercutting the number since the protests began in February. The men are protesting their conditions and their indefinite confinement at the U.S. base in Cuba. House said that 17 of the 94 prisoners are being given liquid nutrients through a nasal tube to prevent dangerous weight loss and malnourishment. Three prisoners so far have been hospitalized.

According to Swedish police on Thursday, drugs and a stun gun were found on Justin Bieber’s tour bus. No arrests were made because the bus was empty at the time. Police decided to act after smelling marijuana coming from inside the bus while it was parked outside the hotel where the pop star was staying in Stockholm. Bieber performed in the Swedish capital Wednesday. Authorities said a “small” amount of the drug was found. Bieber continued his tour Thursday in Finland.

All information is from The Associated Press.

Contact Maura Zurick at [email protected].