1. Obama increases number of Syrian refugees

President Obama has directed his administration to take in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next fiscal year, beginning on Oct. 1. Thousands of people have been fleeing war-torn Syria, overwhelming its neighboring European nations.

More: Obama increases number of Syrian refugees

2. Senate Democrats block Republican rejection of Iran nuclear accord

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican resolution to reject a six-nation nuclear accord with Iran on Thursday. A vote fell two short of the 60 needed to break a Democratic filibuster.

More: Democrats block rejection of Iran nuclear accord

3. New species of human discovered

Scientists discovered bones belonging to a previously undiscovered hominin species in a cave in South Africa. Lee Berger, an American paleoanthropologist, and a team of more than 60 scientists announced the discovery of Homo naledi on Thursday — named after the cave in which the bones were found.

More: New species of human discovered

4. Rick Perry drops out of presidential race again

After just 100 days of campaigning, former governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has dropped out of the 2016 presidential race. Perry previously campaigned in 2012 for the Republican nomination, but dropped out then, too.

More: Rick Perry ends presidential run

5. California legislature approves assisted suicide

The California State Legislature approved a bill on Friday that would allow doctors to help terminally ill people end their lives. After passing by a vote of 23 to 14, the bill will go to California Gov. Jerry Brown for final approval.

More: California legislature approves assisted suicide

6. Crane crashes into Grand Mosque in Mecca

At least at least 107 people died when a large construction crane collapsed and fell into the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on Friday. Millions of visitors are expected to visit Saudi Arabia this month for the yearly hajj pilgrimage.

More: Crane crashes into Grand Mosque in Mecca

7. Djokovic wins U.S. Open

Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer (6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 ) to win the U.S. Open on Sunday. Djokovic now has two U.S. Open singles title and 10 Grand Slam singles titles.

More: Djokovic wins U.S. Open

8. Delta State shooter kills self

A Delta State University (Mississippi) professor suspected of fatally shooting his colleague and a woman he lived with was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday, police say. Shannon Lamb was being pursued by police before he supposedly shot himself.

More: Delta State shooter kills self

9. Wildfires rip through Northern California

Two wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands in Northern California. As of Tuesday morning, Valley Fire has burned 67,000 acres, displacing 13,000 people and 585 homes. The Butte Fire has burned 71,660 acres and 166 homes.

More: Wildfires devastate Northern California

10. Fraternity members charged in 2013 hazing death

At least five members of the Pi Delta Psi fraternity at Baruch College (New York) have been charged in the 2013 death of a freshman during a hazing ritual, police said. A grand jury recommended charges for 37 people after fraternity members physically abused Chun “Michael” Deng at a rented house in the Pocono Mountains.

More: Fraternity members charged in 2013 hazing death 

Published on September 15, 2015 at 10:46 pm

Contact Jon: jrmettus@syr.edu | @jmettus