Cheryl K. Chumley

China’s leader Xi Jinping secures president title, too

China leader Xi Jinping has been given the new title of president, a largely ceremonial role change that came by way of a 2,952-to-1 vote from the Beijing's Great Hall of the People Delegates on Thursday.

March 14, 2013

Benjamin Netanyahu to keep control of defense under just-formed Israeli government

It took weeks, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found enough common ground with coalition members Thursday to form a new government.

March 14, 2013

Texas bill booting Planned Parenthood from schools moves forward

With a 6-2 vote and absent discussion, Texas' Senate Education Committee members moved a bill forward that would pretty much banish Planned Parenthood's presence from Texas schools.

March 13, 2013

Watchdog group gives Obama administration ‘C-‘ for FOIA

A group that rates the transparency of government finds that President Obama's administration is subpar in one key area: Fulfillment of requests for documents made under the Freedom of Information Act.

March 13, 2013

Chicago council members mull even tougher gun laws for city

Chicago City Council members meeting Wednesday will vote on expanding the city's already-strict gun laws, just two days after a 6-month-old girl was fatally shot in a gang-related incident.

March 13, 2013

Vladimir Putin calls for Soviet-style school fitness tests for ‘the Fatherland’

Judo-loving Vladimir Putin wants to bring his penchant for all things physical to school children, via a return to Soviet-era fitness requirements for all students.

March 13, 2013

Obama suggests Secret Service at fault for shuttered White House tours

President Obama seemed to suggest on Wednesday that Secret Service was to blame for the shuttering of White House tours — but that his administration was on the job, looking for ways to open back doors for school groups.

March 13, 2013

‘Rising star’ George Prescott Bush files for Texas land commissioner

George Prescott Bush could be the next in the family political dynasty to serve in public office.

March 13, 2013

Washington lawmakers vote down bill for more gun background checks

Washington state lawmakers shot down a bill that would have required all gun buyers to undergo background checks.

March 13, 2013

Obama admits budget deal could prove impossible

President Obama admitted that efforts to reach a budget deal may be at an impasse if Republicans aren't willing to raise taxes without attaching caveats on entitlement spending.

March 13, 2013

Children hired by terrorists arrested for Pakistani bombings

A group of 11 Pakistani children, ranging in ages from 11 to 18, have been arrested for alleged involvement with a series of bombings that have taken place in Quetta.

March 13, 2013

Ohio judge rules high-speed cameras in small town a ‘scam’

A Hamilton County, Ohio, judge has issued sharp condemnation of a high-speed camera ordinance, calling it unenforceable and invalid.

March 13, 2013

The Twinkie’s back! Snack to reappear in stores this summer

Good news for Twinkies lovers — the company that bought Hostess Brands Inc. expects to put the famed snack back on store shelves as early as this summer.

March 13, 2013

Google hit with $7M fine for scooping email passwords, medical records via Street View

Google has admitted it broke privacy laws with its Street View technology and will pay $7 million to the 38 states that sued — one of the largest amounts ever imposed for similar digital violations.

March 13, 2013

Cybersecurity threat rises: Intel heads plead with Senate for new hires

Cybersecurity is the new terrorism, and the security threat from online hackers is starting to become the nation's biggest headache, said intelligence officials during a Tuesday hearing in the Senate.

March 13, 2013

‘Attack’ dolphins go on the lam, looking for love

A Ukrainian "attack" dolphin military operation may have hit a glitch. Apparently, three love-hungry mammals have broken their bonds and escaped a naval training base on the Crimean peninsula, in pursuit of suitable mates, The Huffington Post reports.

March 13, 2013

Bill Gates set for closed-door session with freshmen lawmakers

Bill Gates will don his Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chairman hat and head to Capitol Hill on Thursday, where he's expected to speak before the freshmen class of lawmakers.

March 13, 2013

EU unveils bill of rights for airline travelers

Members of the European Commission have unveiled a proposal — a sort of bill of rights — that recognizes airline travelers as humans with needs, not cargo to be carted.

March 13, 2013

Venezuela investigating if U.S. killed Hugo Chavez with cancer implant

Venezuela governing officials are opening a formal investigation into America's role in the death of President Hugo Chavez, following conspiracy theories that claim U.S. hit-men took him out with a cancer implant.

March 13, 2013

Thomas Perez’s pro-immigrant past links to George Soros agenda

He's not an official nominee yet, but if President Obama does name Thomas Perez for Labor Secretary, the Republicans aren't likely to sail through a confirmation.

March 13, 2013