This week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie apologized to the public after emails surfaced showing that some members of his administration deliberately disrupted the traffic flow of Fort Lee, a city in Jersey whose mayor did not endorse Christie’s re-election. On the other side of the world, a 14-year-old boy named Aitazaz Bangash died stopping a suicide bomber from attacking his school, saving the lives of hundreds of potential victims.
Welcome back to NEWSFLASH, giving you the week’s biggest news stories!
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Caught In “Bridgegate” Scandal
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie faced a storm of criticisms this week in what has come to be known as the “Bridgegate” scandal.
The controversy centered on last September’s temporary closure of two of three lanes that led to the George Washington Bridge, a bridge that connected Manhattan with the New Jersey city of Fort Lee. While Christie’s aides claimed last year that the closure was part of a traffic study, an email by deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly uncovered this Wednesday revealed that the closure had been orchestrated presumably to retaliate against Fort Lee’s mayor, who had refused to support Christie in his re-election.
“Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” read Kelly’s email. The message led Christie to fire Kelly and another top political aide on Thursday, during which Christie addressed the media in a two-hour press conference on the issue.
Christie claims that he knew nothing of the issue until news reports surfaced Wednesday exposing Kelly’s email exchanges. The governor stated that he was “embarrassed and humiliated” by his administration’s actions.
Pakistani Boy Sacrifices Own Life to Stop Suicide Bomber
A 14-year-old boy in Pakistan has been posthumously nominated for one of the country’s highest awards after he gave his life to stop a suicide bomber from harming his classmates.
Aitazaz Hassan Bangash was rushing to a morning assembly with friends when the boys encountered a stranger dressed in their school’s uniform who asked them for directions to the building. While Aitazaz’s friends decided to back off, he challenged the suicide bomber who detonated his vest in panic as Aitazaz tackled him.
Aitazaz’s decision saved hundreds of lives, as at least 1,000 students are enrolled in the Government Boys High School. Pakistani citizens and people all over the world honored the and his sacrifice.
On Saturday, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced that Aitazaz had been nominated for the Sitara-e Shujjat, a top civil award whose recipients include girls’ education advocate Malala Yousafzai.