Douglas Ernst
Articles by Douglas Ernst
U.S. hopes to bring in thousands of Middle Eastern refugees in 2014
The State Department said Thursday that its goal is to welcome 35,000 permanent refugees from the Middle East and South Asia in fiscal 2014. Published December 27, 2013
Jesse Jackson Sr.: Duck Dynasty star is worse than Rosa Parks’ bus driver
Jesse Jackson Sr. has a message for suspended "Ducky Dynasty" star Phil Robertson: you're worse than Rosa Park's bus driver. Published December 26, 2013
Iraq requests U.S. drones, missiles to thwart al Qaeda attacks
The Iraqi government wants drones — American drones. Published December 26, 2013
Japan pumping up military with drones, U.S. aircraft to counter Chinese threats
Japan plans to beef up its military with a wide-range of new arsenal to deal with Chinese national security threats. Published December 18, 2013
Engineers create human-powered helicopter: ‘Impossible is nothing’
Canadian engineers Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson are the first team to defeat a challenge set forth by The American Helicopter Society in 1980. The Canadians will now pocket the Sikorsky Prize for their creative efforts — $250,000. Published December 17, 2013
Army to cut up to 4,000 captains and majors
The U.S. Army is sending roughly 19,000 active-duty captains and majors to a screening board for early separation this spring, the Army Times reported. Up to 20 percent of those screened — approximately 3,800 officers — could be scheduled to leave the service by the the Officer Separation Board and Enhanced Selective Early Retirement Board. Published December 17, 2013
N. Korea wipes Kim Jong-un’s executed uncle Jang Song-thaek from Web
In a move straight from George Orwell's "1984," North Korea is attempting to wipe any mention of executed "traitor" Jang Song-thaek from its state-controlled Internet. Published December 13, 2013
Hagel: Same-sex benefits for troops’ spouses ready to go in all states
The nine remaining states that were refusing to extend full benefits to troops with same-sex spouses have formerly dropped their opposition. Published December 13, 2013
Prison inmates take up ‘Knockout’ game, target female officers
News of the "Knockout" game, in which urban teens randomly punch unsuspecting citizens in the face, has spread to prison — and female correction officers are the primary target. Published December 13, 2013
Canadian grocery store boots girls off property for singing Christmas carols
Two little girls who wanted to give customers at a Canadian grocery store "warm and fuzzy" feelings by singing Christmas carols were booted off the property by managers, CBS Seattle Portland, Oregon station reported. Published December 12, 2013
Chinese Death Star: The moon cited as the perfect launch pad for ballistic missiles
The Chinese may have found a practical use for the moon: as a Death Star for the People's Liberation Army. Published December 12, 2013
We are not amused: Queen’s protection officers warned to keep ‘sticky fingers’ off the royal cashews
You might protect Queen Elizabeth II, but that doesn't mean you can eat her mixed nuts. That's the message that was sent to royal protection officers when the she noticed a shortage of snacks on hand. Published December 12, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker creates crossbow season in Wisconsin
Crossbow fanatics can now head to Wisconsin, because the governor signed a bill Tuesday creating a new hunting season, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Published December 12, 2013
National Park Service: Disclosing process of Mount Vernon closing would have ‘chilling effect’
The National Park Service has refused to honor Freedom of Information Act requests regarding conversations on barricading Mount Vernon during the government shutdown. The reason? It would have a "chilling effect on the agency's deliberative processes." Published December 12, 2013
Are Chinese shoving cigarette butts up nostrils to combat smog?
Are Chinese citizens desperate enough to stick cigarette butts up their nostrils on the chance that the filters will lessen the effects of perpetual smog? Published December 11, 2013
Nativity regulations in Wales: Mary must wear safety helmet
Safety rules and regulations in south Wales are dictating that a little girl portraying Mary in a church Christmas play wear a safety helmet while riding a donkey during the nativity scene. Published December 11, 2013
Hershey heist: Truck with $120,000 worth of chocolate stolen in Florida
Some thieves steal armored vehicles filled with bank notes. In Florida, they apparently steal trucks filled with $120,000 worth of Hershey's chocolate. Published December 11, 2013
Slate: Replace ‘white’ Santa with a penguin to end nonwhite kids’ shame
In order to save kids from racial insecurity, Santa Claus' inherent whiteness (and humanity) should be done away with, according to Slate's Aisha Harris. Published December 11, 2013
Venezuela’s Maduro calls on student ‘price vigilantes’ to hit the streets, report businesses
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wants you — to be a roving price vigilante. Published December 11, 2013
Bow before Valkyrie, NASA’s ‘superhero robot’ entry in DARPA challenge
When does Skynet become operational? NASA has unveiled a towering new humanoid robot Valkyrie that will compete in a robotics challenge put on by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — and perhaps ultimately assist humans on future missions in space. Published December 11, 2013
