Cheryl K. Chumley

Syria destroys chemical weapon capabilities ahead of schedule

A nuclear weapons watchdog group said Thursday that Syria has destroyed its capability to produce chemical weapons, in accordance with an international agreement and ahead of schedule.

October 31, 2013

You’re fired: SpongeBob SquarePants gets taste of economy

Even the cartoon world can't hide from economic reality. The sluggish job market has drifted downward — all the way to the bottom of the ocean, to Bikini Bottom and the Krusty Krab burger shack, where SpongeBob SquarePants has flipped krabby patties for 14 years.

October 31, 2013

China demands U.S. explain new spy charges at Australian embassies

China — no small player in the spy front itself — has nonetheless issued a stark demand to the United States over new allegations that surfaced Thursday regarding U.S. surveillance operations in Australia.

October 31, 2013

Qatar orders soccer star’s statue removed for anti-Islamic pose

Qatar authorities have ordered the removal of a 16-foot bronze statue of a soccer star because the pose — a famous headbutt — was deemed in poor taste and the subject matter in violation of Islamic law.

October 31, 2013

Facebook to track how users hover their cursors

Facebook executives say they have new technology to track how long users pause over certain spots on the site and they’re testing the data collection technique now, saying it could help advertisers more efficiently target customers.

October 31, 2013

Janet Napolitano pledges $5M for illegal immigrants at California college

Janet Napolitano, the president of the University of California, announced this week the college would give out $5 million for illegal immigrants to obtain special counseling and financial aid.

October 31, 2013

New York, new ban: City mulls age 21 law for tobacco buyers

If at least one New York City lawmaker has her way, nobody in the city will be able to buy cigarettes without first proving they’re age 21.

October 30, 2013

Kanye West jabs Michelle Obama’s social media presence as subpar

Kanye West sent a gentle slap-down first lady Michelle Obama's way, commenting how his fiancee Kim Kardashian is so much better at drawing attention on social media.

October 30, 2013

Pope Francis makes a friend: ‘The boy in yellow’ upstages Vatican speech

Pope Francis has made a new friend — a young boy dressed in yellow who climbed the Vatican stage and wandered about the pontiff’s robes for a time, paying little heed to the thousands who filled the square at St. Peter’s to hear the latest Catholic Church address.

October 30, 2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin vows open-arm embrace of gays at Olympics

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that despite his recently signed ban against gays promoting their sexuality to minors, he would welcome gays to Sochi in the Winter Olympics and preserve their rights for equal treatment.

October 30, 2013

Quid pro quo: Airports, airlines ‘pamper’ Congress to keep regulation at bay

The average flier may have to pay costly parking rates and pricey flight cancellation fees — but not so for congressional members.

October 30, 2013

Las Vegas makes bid for 2016 Republican convention

It may seem far in the future, but Nevada authorities already have put in their bid to bring the 2016 Republican National Convention to Las Vegas.

October 30, 2013

O.J. Simpson’s $500K home heads to auction block

While O.J. Simpson sits in jail, his lavish Florida home is set to hit the auction block Wednesday with a current appraised value of nearly $500,000.

October 30, 2013

Joe Biden’s niece sports black eye during court hearing for hitting cop

Caroline Biden, the niece of Vice President Joseph R. Biden, arrived at a Manhattan court for the charge of hitting a police officer wearing a black dress, black heels – and a black eye.

October 30, 2013

Putin unseats Obama on Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful list

The votes are in and Forbes has the tally: Topping its list of World's Most Powerful People this year is Russia President Vladimir Putin — not President Obama.

October 30, 2013

MSNBC Chris Matthews blasts Obama administration on Benghazi

MSNBC "Hardball" host Chris Matthews — a staunch pro-Obama defender who famously earned the nickname "Tingles" for remarking on the president's ability to send shivers down his leg with his speeches — is singing a new tune.

October 30, 2013

Mars candy co-owner charged in fatal Virginia wreck

Jacqueline Badger Mars, the co-owner of the Mars Inc. candy company, has been charged with a reckless driving charge stemming from a fatal wreck on Virginia roads.

October 30, 2013

California town sues Sriracha chili sauce factory over smell

An economically struggling town in Southern California at first embraced the opening of a 650,000-square-foot chili sauce factory within its borders as a job booster and revenue raiser — and then the smell hit.

October 30, 2013

Arizona dust storm leaves 3 dead in highway pileup

A massive dust storm that swept suddenly across Interstate 10 in Arizona sent 19 vehicles onto a collision course, ultimately leaving three dead and a dozen injured.

October 30, 2013

Israel dashes Palestinian state hopes with new home builds in Jerusalem

Israel announced on Wednesday it was going forward with a new construction project in east Jerusalem, a move sure to spark controversy as it’s at the very site that Palestinians want as their future home state.

October 30, 2013