Douglas Ernst

California releasing lifers at record pace: ‘Russian roulette with public safety’

California has set a dubious state record since Gov. Jerry Brown took office — the largest number of prison inmates with life sentences released.

February 25, 2014

Navy relieves commander of ship that ran aground in Black Sea

After running the USS Taylor aground in the Black Sea two weeks ago, the Navy has replaced its commander.

February 25, 2014

Researchers create device that allows men, women to ‘swap’ bodies

Scientists in Barcelona have created a device that allows users to "swap" bodies with others in real time, using a headset that is able to trick male minds into feeling like a woman and vice versa.

February 25, 2014

24 soldiers to receive Medal of Honor from White House

The White House announced on Friday that President Obama will award the Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans for gallantry displayed in past conflicts. All but three of the recipients will be awarded the medal posthumously.

February 21, 2014

Special Forces funding to be ‘reined in’ by Obama administration: report

Multiple defense sources have told the Army Times to expect "flat" funding starting in fiscal 2015 for special operations forces.

February 21, 2014

Venezuelan President Maduro strips CNN of press credentials

CNN no longer has press credentials in Venezuela, courtesy of President Nicolas Maduro.

February 21, 2014

‘Mighty Dragon’: China’s upgraded stealth jet ready for first flight

The third prototype for China's J-20 "Mighty Dragon" stealth fighter jet appears to be prepared to take its maiden flight at any time.

February 21, 2014

Walter Ehlers dies; was last living D-Day Medal of Honor recipient

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society has reported that the last Medal of Honor recipient from 1944's D-Day invasion has died.

February 21, 2014

Some members of civil-rights panel accuse EEOC of overreach on racism

Some members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights say that a federal panel is, in the interest of fighting racism, engaging in bureaucratic overreach and making it harder for businesses to avoid hiring felons.

February 20, 2014

‘Loser keeps Bieber’ billboard raises stakes in U.S.-Canada Olympic hockey semis

When the U.S. men's hockey team meets Canada on Friday in the semifinals the stakes will be huge: the loser keeps Justin Bieber.

February 20, 2014

Chicago goes ‘Minority Report’: CPD big on predictive policing

The Chicago Police Department is funding an idea straight out of the Hollywood movie "Minority Report": predicting crime.

February 20, 2014

NSA lawsuits may lead to expansion of spying program

Lawsuits brought forth by National Security Agency spying revelations may actually prompt the agency to expand its controversial program — at least in the short term.

February 20, 2014

Venezuelan opposition leader Lopez stands before judge

Venezuela's opposition leader, Leopoldo Lopez, went before a judge Wednesday to face terrorism charges while his supporters rallied outside the palace of justice.

February 19, 2014

Look out, G.I. Joe: Edward Snowden gets own action figure

The infamous NSA leaker has been immortalized in plastic, courtesy of an Oregon-based company that makes the figures using facial reconstruction analysis.

February 19, 2014

Iranian nuclear deal boosts its economy; political infighting risks long-term growth

A new report by a strategic advisory firm in Washington, D.C. reveals that since the United States and its allies signed an interim nuclear deal, the Middle Eastern nation's most important sector of its economy — energy — has seen a boost.

February 19, 2014

China training for ‘short sharp war’ with Japan, Navy official says

Capt. James Fannell, the chief of intelligence of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, believes that China is training for war with Japan.

February 19, 2014

Kate Upton in Zero-G: Sports Illustrated goes to 34,000 feet for photo shoot

Sports Illustrated wanted to do something special for next month's swimsuit issue, so it decided to blast Kate Upton to 34,000 feet above the surface of the earth for a Zero-G photo shoot.

February 19, 2014

Iranian hackers entered ‘bloodstream’ of Navy network; ‘significant penetration’ took months to fix

An Iranian attack on the Navy's largest unclassified computer network that was first reported on in September managed to get into the "bloodstream" of the system — a much more serious breach of security than previous thought — officials now admit, the Wall Street Journal said.

February 19, 2014

Wis. soldier suspended for disrespectful honor guard posts: ‘We put the fun in funeral’

A Wisconsin National Guardsman has been suspended after images of her and fellow soldiers disrespecting the funerals they were assigned to cover as members of the honor guard were posted on a social media site.

February 18, 2014

Biker who taunted Texas police with ‘catch me if you can’ captured

Alberto Rodriguez taunted San Antonio police with a "catch me if you can" message on his Facebook account — and Texas law enforcement obliged.

February 18, 2014