From NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

 

　　Law enforcement officials are reporting progress in the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing that killed at least 3 people and wounded more than 170. Video of the bombing scene has been key and the possible suspect has been spotted. However, NPR's Tom Gjelten says the FBI is saying that no arrests have yet been made in the case.

 

　　A senior law enforcement official tells NPR that video of the spot warns at least one of the bombs exploded, shows a man setting down a bag and then leaving the scene. But the official says that there is not necessary mean that the man is the suspect. We need more than that, the official says. Early press reports say a man has been arrested and was even been taken to the federal court house in Boston, but the FBI is knocking no reports down on hard. In the statement, the FBI said "contrast to widespread reporting, no arrests have been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack." Over the pass days there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that have been inacaited, the bureau said. Tom Gjelten, NPR News, Washington.

 

　　The FBI is leading an investigation to poison letters that were sent to political leaders. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports one was addressed to president Obama, and another to Mississippi senator, Roger Wicker.

 

　　Both of the letters were intercepted before they reached their targets. White House spokesman Jay Carney says the FBI is conducting further tests to confirm the initial readings that the letters contained the poison ricin.

 

　　"I would underscore that the mail is screened, the mail sent here screened and these tests undertaken at remote sites to mitigate the risk both to those recipients and to the general population."

 

　　The FBI says there has been no indication of any connection between the bombing in Boston and these letters. Senators will brief on the ricin Tuesday night. After the meeting, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri said an investigator had a suspect in mind, someone who often writes to elected official. Ari Shapiro, NPR News, the White House.

 

　　Before the ricin situation, disrupted business in Capitol Hill senators were preparing for the much anticipating vote on gun control legislations scheduled to be held this hour. Four more lawmakers are announcing their opposition. Supporters have been scrambling to keep the measures of expanding background checks alive in the Senate.

 

　　Secretary of State John Kerry’s just back from the trip to the Middle East expressing cautions and efforts to revive Israel-Palestinian peace talks. Speaking to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Kerry called for patient on the details of the two-state plan he might develop in the coming month.

 

　　"I believe the window for a two-state solution is shutting. I think we have some period of time, a year, a year and a half, two years or it’s over."

 

　　Kerry also discussed US’ efforts to help defuse tension on the Korean peninsula with North Korea has issued new nuclear threats against its southern neighbour and show ally.

 

　　Before the close, Dow was down 138 points at 14,619.

 

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　　The president of Syria seems to show no signs of backing down for a two-year civil war that has claim tens of thousands of lives. In a local TV interview, Bashar al-Assad says failure to defeat the rebel would mean the end of Syria. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hague talks Congress that the Pentagon is sending soldiers from its Army headquarter union to Jordan to help content violence along that country's border with Syria.

 

　　National Republican has decided not to fund former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford for his bid for congressional seat. The decision comes after Sanford's ex-wife claims he has been trespassing her home. NPR's Cathy repots this could derail Sanford's congressional hope.

 

　　National Republican Congressional Committee has spent much of the raise so far. But just weeks before the elections, Sanford needs big money to run at. He won't get it from it from the NRCC, after ex-wife Jenny Sanford found a complaint that allegedly the former governor has a pattern of entering her property without permission and against her wishes. Sanford issues a statement which says that he was watching the Super Bowl with his son, he called the betterxx a disagreement but it's wonder would lends Sanford in "two days after the May 7 election". Jenny Sanford got his divorce in 2010 after the then governor admitted to having an affair with a woman from Argentina. At the time, Sanford claimed to be hiking the Appalachian Trail. Cathy L, NPR News.

 

　　The Federal Reserve is out with its Beige book which reviews a stronger housing recovery and gains in auto sale saying they will factor to modeling economic growth in the US in late February and Match.

 

　　Before the closing bell, Dow was down 138 points at 14,617.

 

　　I'm Lakshmi Singh. NPR News.