Douglas Ernst

Kateryna Bilyk, Ukrainian grandmother dubbed ‘The Punisher,’ trains for pro-Russian separatists

A 68-year-old math teacher in western Ukraine has taken part in volunteer training to take on pro-Russian separatists, should the day arrive.

January 20, 2015

Russian spy ship’s arrival in Cuba coincides with U.S. diplomats’ work in Havana

Russia's Viktor Leonov spy ship docked in Cuba for a three-day stay as U.S. diplomats arrived in Havana to strengthen diplomatic relations with the communist nation.

January 20, 2015

Bacon-scented scratch-n-sniff lotto tickets available in New Hampshire

For bacon lovers in New Hampshire, every lotto ticket they buy will be a winner.

January 20, 2015

Islamic State using MANPADS against A-10 Warthogs in Iraq: report

The U.S. Air Force sent in its A-10 Thunderbolts II into Iraq for airstrikes against the Islamic State group. Now the terrorist organization seems to have answered with man-portable, shoulder-fired, low-altitude, infrared-guided, surface-to-air missile systems.

January 20, 2015

Saddiq Al-Abbadi and Ali Alvi, al Qaeda-linked Yemeni nationals, to stand trial in U.S. court

Two Yemeni men linked to al Qaeda will stand trial in the United States over charges they conspired to kill Americans overseas.

January 20, 2015

Marcus Luttrell’s Afghan savior, Mohammed Gulab, fights for asylum in U.S. as Taliban threats rise

The Afghan man who risked his life to save Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell in 2005 is now seeking asylum in the U.S. due to increased threats on his life by the Taliban.

January 16, 2015

Papa John’s Pizza won’t fire female employee who shot armed robbery suspect in self-defense

A female employee of Papa John's Pizza who shot an armed robbery suspect in self-defense will not be fired by the company.

January 16, 2015

China turns to citizen militias to patrol border with North Korea

A 310-mile stretch of land between China and North Korea will now be partially manned by Chinese citizen militias.

January 16, 2015

800 Russians fighting with Islamic State, says Ilya Rogachev, diplomat

The head of Russia's Foreign Ministry's department for modern challenges and threats says at least 800 Russians are fighting with the Islamic State group.

January 16, 2015

26 female Marines drop out of infantry officer course so far

The failure of two Marine Corps officers to to pass the Jan. 8 first-day Combat Endurance Test of the infantry officer course brings the tally of female dropouts to 26.

January 16, 2015

Roswell’s doomsday fixer-upper: $295K Cold War property with missile silo excites buyers

Roswell, New Mexico has the market cornered on doomsday fixer-uppers.

January 15, 2015

Air Force turns to National Guard, Reserve to help quell drone pilot crisis

The U.S. Air Force is turning to its National Guard and Reserve pilots to help quell its dearth of drone pilots.

January 15, 2015

Colo. robber gives victim thumbs-up sign, walks away: ‘I know you’

A would-be robber gave the thumbs-up sign and canceled a convenience store heist just outside Denver when he recognized his victim.

January 15, 2015

Angela Merkel boots Vladimir Putin, says Russian leader will not receive G-7 invite

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the next G-7 meeting, which she will host.

January 15, 2015

Islamic State blitzkrieg: Germany tracking 50-member terror cell

German authorities are tracking an Islamic State terror cell suspected of having 50 members.

January 15, 2015

Iraq complains: Obama coalition not doing enough to stop Islamic State

Iraqi officials are voicing displeasure with the efforts of the Obama administration and its coalition allies to help stem the tide of the Islamic State group.

January 15, 2015

132-year-old Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle found against a tree at Great Basin National Park

Archaeologists traversing Great Basin National Park in Nevada came across an interesting find: a 132-year-old Winchester Model 1873 repeating rifle.

January 14, 2015

UVA fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Alpha, refuse rules crafted after Rolling Stone piece

University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan is facing opposition by two fraternities to new rules governing Greek organizations.

January 14, 2015

U.S. Army makes history: Combined infantry division created with South Korea

The U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division is fusing with its South Korean allies in an unprecedented move.

January 14, 2015

Saudi Arabia building 600-mile ‘Great Wall’ to keep out Islamic State

Saudi Arabia is taking a page out of Chinese history and building a "Great Wall" to keep out invaders.

January 14, 2015