Douglas Ernst
Articles by Douglas Ernst
China has power to shut down U.S. power grid with cyberattacks: NSA director
Adm. Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency and head of U.S. Cyber Command, said Thursday that China and "one or two" other countries have the power to shut down the U.S. electric grid with cyberattacks. Published November 20, 2014
U.K. ‘Bio-Bus’ that runs on local human waste takes to the streets
A bus that runs on local human and food waste — specifically biomethane gas — has taken to the streets in the United Kingdom. Published November 20, 2014
Russia moving MiG-31 fighter jets near Ukraine border: report
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said Friday that Russian fighter jets and radar stations are being moved near Ukraine's eastern border. Published November 19, 2014
New Washington state gun laws lead museum to begin removing World War II-era rifles
New gun laws in Washington state have prompted one museum to begin removing World War II-era weapons on loan to them from collectors. Published November 19, 2014
Facebook changes to deny 2016 candidates capabilities Obama leveraged in 2012
President Obama's 2012 Facebook app leveraged the social media giant's capabilities to amass 45 million users and register more than 1 million voters online. Coding changes to the website will make duplicating that feat difficult, if not impossible, in 2016. Published November 19, 2014
Yahoo’s concerns for constitutional rights brushed off by judges, documents show
Declassified documents from a legal showdown between Yahoo lawyers and surveillance judges in Providence, Rhode Island, show panel members brushing off the company's concerns about infringements on constitutional rights. Published November 19, 2014
Vladimir Putin: Russia, North Korea alliance would ensure ‘regional stability and security’
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a strong alliance between Russia and Kim Jong-un's North Korean regime would be a stabilizing force in the region. Published November 19, 2014
Islamic State takes Libyan city; 100K under terror group’s control as chaos spreads
The Libyan city of Derna has a population of 100,000, and it's now under the Islamic State group's control. Published November 18, 2014
FBI: 150 Americans suspected of fighting in Syria with Islamic State
The FBI is concerned that roughly 150 Americans it is tracking have gone to Syria and are fighting alongside the Islamic State group. Published November 18, 2014
U.S. spends $300K per hour on Islamic State airstrikes, says Congressman
A member of the House Armed Services Committee says the U.S. spends $300,000 per hour on efforts to degrade and destroy the Islamic State group through airstrikes. Published November 18, 2014
U.S. troops in Europe ordered not to wear uniforms off base
U.S. military bases in Europe have been ordered to "limit to the max extent possible" instances where personnel wear uniforms off base. Published November 18, 2014
Army chooses 31 women for spring Ranger Course assessment
The U.S. Army Ranger school has 31 female candidates for its planned Ranger Course Assessment next spring. Published November 18, 2014
Russia warns France of ‘serious’ consequences for carrier denial: report
Russia issued a stark warning to France regarding two Mistral helicopter carriers that are supposed to be delivered by Nov. 14. Published November 14, 2014
Jay Carney: Jonathan Gruber ‘speaks from the ivory tower with remarkable hubris’
Former Obama White House Press Secretary Jay Carney attacked one of Obamacare's key architects, Jonathan Gruber, as a man who "speaks from the ivory tower with remarkable hubris." Published November 14, 2014
Navy first: Littoral Combat Ship deployed with drone aircraft
The deployment of the USS Fort Worth to Singapore includes a Navy first: an MQ-8B Fire Scout drone with a range of up to 100 miles. Published November 14, 2014
ACLU sues Army over religious exemption denial for Sikh ROTC applicant
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the U.S. Army on behalf of a Sikh ROTC applicant who was denied a religious exemption. Published November 14, 2014
Chuck Hagel: $10 billion needed for nuclear force overhaul
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Pentagon reporters Friday that he wants roughly $10 billion over the next five years to help overhaul management of the U.S. nuclear forces. Published November 14, 2014
Justice Department puts fake cellphone towers on Cessna planes to spy on Americans
The Justice Department is using Cessna aircraft outfitted with fake communications towers in its attempts to catch criminals, but each flight gleans information on tens of thousands of Americans. Published November 13, 2014
Obama seeks waivers for war funds that may go to human rights violators
The Obama administration is seeking a waiver for war funds that would allow it to send aid to groups suspected of "gross human rights violations." Published November 13, 2014
Islamic State, al Qaeda agree to join forces in Syria
A prominent Syrian official and a rebel commander say the Islamic State group and al Qaeda have put aside their differences and vowed to work together in Syria. Published November 13, 2014
