Douglas Ernst

U.S. hopes to bring in thousands of Middle Eastern refugees in 2014

The State Department said Thursday that its goal is to welcome 35,000 permanent refugees from the Middle East and South Asia in fiscal 2014.

December 27, 2013

Jesse Jackson Sr.: Duck Dynasty star is worse than Rosa Parks’ bus driver

Jesse Jackson Sr. has a message for suspended "Ducky Dynasty" star Phil Robertson: you're worse than Rosa Park's bus driver.

December 26, 2013

Iraq requests U.S. drones, missiles to thwart al Qaeda attacks

The Iraqi government wants drones — American drones.

December 26, 2013

Japan pumping up military with drones, U.S. aircraft to counter Chinese threats

Japan plans to beef up its military with a wide-range of new arsenal to deal with Chinese national security threats.

December 18, 2013

Engineers create human-powered helicopter: ‘Impossible is nothing’

Canadian engineers Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson are the first team to defeat a challenge set forth by The American Helicopter Society in 1980. The Canadians will now pocket the Sikorsky Prize for their creative efforts — $250,000.

December 17, 2013

Army to cut up to 4,000 captains and majors

The U.S. Army is sending roughly 19,000 active-duty captains and majors to a screening board for early separation this spring, the Army Times reported. Up to 20 percent of those screened — approximately 3,800 officers — could be scheduled to leave the service by the the Officer Separation Board and Enhanced Selective Early Retirement Board.

December 17, 2013

N. Korea wipes Kim Jong-un’s executed uncle Jang Song-thaek from Web

In a move straight from George Orwell's "1984," North Korea is attempting to wipe any mention of executed "traitor" Jang Song-thaek from its state-controlled Internet.

December 13, 2013

Hagel: Same-sex benefits for troops’ spouses ready to go in all states

The nine remaining states that were refusing to extend full benefits to troops with same-sex spouses have formerly dropped their opposition.

December 13, 2013

Prison inmates take up ‘Knockout’ game, target female officers

News of the "Knockout" game, in which urban teens randomly punch unsuspecting citizens in the face, has spread to prison — and female correction officers are the primary target.

December 13, 2013

Canadian grocery store boots girls off property for singing Christmas carols

Two little girls who wanted to give customers at a Canadian grocery store "warm and fuzzy" feelings by singing Christmas carols were booted off the property by managers, CBS Seattle Portland, Oregon station reported.

December 12, 2013

Chinese Death Star: The moon cited as the perfect launch pad for ballistic missiles

The Chinese may have found a practical use for the moon: as a Death Star for the People's Liberation Army.

December 12, 2013

We are not amused: Queen’s protection officers warned to keep ‘sticky fingers’ off the royal cashews

You might protect Queen Elizabeth II, but that doesn't mean you can eat her mixed nuts. That's the message that was sent to royal protection officers when the she noticed a shortage of snacks on hand.

December 12, 2013

Gov. Scott Walker creates crossbow season in Wisconsin

Crossbow fanatics can now head to Wisconsin, because the governor signed a bill Tuesday creating a new hunting season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

December 12, 2013

National Park Service: Disclosing process of Mount Vernon closing would have ‘chilling effect’

The National Park Service has refused to honor Freedom of Information Act requests regarding conversations on barricading Mount Vernon during the government shutdown. The reason? It would have a "chilling effect on the agency's deliberative processes."

December 12, 2013

Are Chinese shoving cigarette butts up nostrils to combat smog?

Are Chinese citizens desperate enough to stick cigarette butts up their nostrils on the chance that the filters will lessen the effects of perpetual smog?

December 11, 2013

Nativity regulations in Wales: Mary must wear safety helmet

Safety rules and regulations in south Wales are dictating that a little girl portraying Mary in a church Christmas play wear a safety helmet while riding a donkey during the nativity scene.

December 11, 2013

Hershey heist: Truck with $120,000 worth of chocolate stolen in Florida

Some thieves steal armored vehicles filled with bank notes. In Florida, they apparently steal trucks filled with $120,000 worth of Hershey's chocolate.

December 11, 2013

Slate: Replace ‘white’ Santa with a penguin to end nonwhite kids’ shame

In order to save kids from racial insecurity, Santa Claus' inherent whiteness (and humanity) should be done away with, according to Slate's Aisha Harris.

December 11, 2013

Venezuela’s Maduro calls on student ‘price vigilantes’ to hit the streets, report businesses

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wants you — to be a roving price vigilante.

December 11, 2013

Bow before Valkyrie, NASA’s ‘superhero robot’ entry in DARPA challenge

When does Skynet become operational? NASA has unveiled a towering new humanoid robot Valkyrie that will compete in a robotics challenge put on by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — and perhaps ultimately assist humans on future missions in space.

December 11, 2013