Cheryl K. Chumley

Report on world’s richest individuals sparks call for universal health care

New research from the Britain-based charity Oxfam found that nearly half of the wealth in the world is owned by a select 85 individuals. Researchers are using that finding to persuade governments around the world to provide free health care for citizens.

January 20, 2014

South Korean trade agent kidnapped at gunpoint in Libya

Gunmen in the Libyan capital of Tripoli kidnapped a South Korean trade agent, and investigators on Monday said they had no idea who the abductors were or what they wanted.

January 20, 2014

Kenneth Bae, captive in North Korea, admits he committed a ‘serious crime’

Kenneth Bae, the American who was sentenced to 15 years in a North Korea labor camp for distributing religious materials in the atheist state, held a press conference on Monday and admitted he was guilty of a "serious crime” against the state.

January 20, 2014

Target hack attack started by Russian teen, 17, security firm says

The massive holiday season data breach that took tens of millions of Target shoppers by storm and led to the compromising of private debit and credit card information was perpetrated by a teen in Russia, security firm experts said.

January 20, 2014

Queen Elizabeth cedes partial power to Prince Charles in ‘gentle succession’

In what’s being billed as a “gentle succession” and a historical shift, Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to cede some of her powers to Prince Charles.

January 20, 2014

Scientists crack mystery behind birds’ V-formation flight pattern

Scientists think they’ve uncovered a mystery that’s baffled bird watchers for centuries — the reasons behind the feathered friends’ V-formation flight pattern.

January 17, 2014

U.S. Olympic goalie ordered to remove ‘We the People’ from mask

Jessie Vetter, the goalie for the USA Women’s hockey team, has been ordered by the International Olympic Committee to remove a classic American constitutional reference from her mask – “We the People” – because it was deemed propaganda.

January 17, 2014

Hiroo Onoda, Japanese soldier who wouldn’t surrender, dies at 91

Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who refused to surrender and quit his World War II fight until the 1970s – decades after peace was declared – died in Tokyo at the age of 91.

January 17, 2014

Justice Department pushes to end religious profiling: report

Attorney General Eric Holder's newest policy push includes a recommendation to prohibit federal authorities from using religion as part of investigations, a nod to civil rights activists who maintain that law enforcement agents routinely target Muslims.

January 17, 2014

Tom DeLay on Obama: His ‘tyranny’ is ‘unbelievable and scary’

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said President Obama has crossed the constitutional line when it comes to his use of executive orders and has now entered a realm normally reserved for tyrants.

January 17, 2014

‘Bridgegate’ scandal leads to 20 subpoenas – but Christie not included

The New Jersey special legislative committee tasked with investigating the “Bridgegate” scandal has led to the issuance of 20 subpoenas – but so far, not to Gov. Chris Christie.

January 17, 2014

Calif. boy, 16, critically hurt in hammer attack in street

A California boy, 16, was flown for emergency hospital treatment after a man smashed him on the head with a hammer, during a brief but gruesome encounter on a sidewalk across the street from Chino High School.

January 17, 2014

‘Swiss Cheese Pervert’ of Philadelphia arrested on sexual charges

A man dubbed the “Swiss Cheese Pervert” for his alleged queries to strange women to watch his bizarre sexual display has been taken off the streets of Philadelphia.

January 17, 2014

Obama vows that John Boehner will indeed push through immigration reform

Perhaps the president knows something legislative watchers don’t, because Mr. Obama vows – in sharp contrast to political pundits Capitol Hill insiders – the House Speaker John Boehner will indeed pass immigration reform before the end of the year.

January 17, 2014

ATF agents shot, wounded by Oklahoma teen, 19

Two ATF agents on federal business in an Oklahoma neighborhood who offered to help with a local police search for a teenage shooting suspect were rewarded for their outreach with gunfire: They happened on the 19-year-old and he shot and wounded them.

January 17, 2014

Texas man busted for warning motorists of police speed trap fights city hall

Apparently, residents in one North Texas town aren’t legally allowed to hold up homemade signs. Ron Martin, 33, tried it – he held a sign he penned to warn drivers about speed traps – and got cited by police.

January 17, 2014

Bible ban: Wis. university system removes book from campus center rooms

The Wisconsin public university system removed all its copies of the Gideon Bible from the campus conference center after the Freedom From Religion Foundation complained of a constitutional violation.

January 16, 2014

Westminster dog show finally lays out welcome mat for mixed breeds

It’s been 138 years in the making, but authorities with the Westminster Kennel Club have finally said that yes, mixed breeds can enter the annual dog show and competition.

January 16, 2014

Kansas middle school how-to poster to express ‘sexual feelings’ sparks ire

Kansas parents are wondering why staff at their kids’ middle school would allow a poster on the walls that teaches how to express “sexual feeling,” and includes such graphic advisements as “touching each other’s” private body parts.

January 16, 2014

Little League coach sues player, 14, for $600K, claiming injury from celebratory helmet toss

A California coach is suing one of his Little League players, seeking $600,000 for what he says was a careless helmet toss that left him with a torn Achilles tendon.

January 16, 2014