Newscast for Friday, February 1, 2013

Turkey: Suicide Bombing at U.S. Embassy in Ankara

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device outside the U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, killing at least two people. The attack struck one of the country’s most heavily secured diplomatic compounds, raising immediate questions about embassy security protocols in a region already contending with spillover violence from the ongoing conflict in neighboring Syria.

A New Face at the State Department

Hillary Clinton officially stepped down today as U.S. Secretary of State, capping a four-year tenure that took her to more countries than any secretary of state in American history. Senator John Kerry was sworn in as her successor, taking over State Department leadership as the Obama administration entered its second term.

Pakistan: Market Bombing Kills Dozens

A suicide bomber struck a market in Hangu, in Pakistan’s northwest, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 30 others. The attack added to a string of bombings that have continued to plague Pakistan’s tribal border regions amid ongoing military operations against militant groups in the area.

Nigeria: Military Strikes Boko Haram Camp

Nigeria’s army carried out an airstrike on a suspected training camp used by the militant group Boko Haram, killing 18 fighters and seizing a substantial cache of ammunition, guns, and other weapons. The strike came amid an escalating military campaign against the group in Nigeria’s northeast, where Boko Haram’s insurgency has continued to grow in scale and lethality.

New York Remembers Ed Koch

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch died today at age 88 of congestive heart failure. Koch served three terms as mayor from 1978 to 1989, presiding over the city through a period of fiscal crisis and gradual recovery, and remained a prominent, outspoken voice in New York civic life well after leaving office.

Washington: A Second Cabinet Departure

Energy Secretary Steven Chu also announced his departure from the Obama administration today, joining Clinton in stepping down as the president’s second term gets underway — the start of what would become a broader wave of cabinet turnover in the administration’s opening months.