Record number of background checks for gun purchase

Black Friday this year marked the largest number of background checks for gun purchases in U.S. history, the FBI announced yesterday, a sign that Americans are more invested in gun ownership than ever before.

US considering sending more troops to Syria

An official with the U.S. Defense Department has said that the Pentagon is mulling over the possibility of sending more special operations troops to Syria to take the fight with ISIS straight to the source.

Shoppers switching to online sales

Retailers are reporting that online sales of merchandise has begun to have a major impact on Black Friday sales. This year appears to mark a turning point, Black Friday sales were down, but the huge amount of online shopping more than made up for it, turning this season into a major success so far for many retailers.

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.

Today is Thanksgiving Day, in the United States, a national holiday since 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a day for giving thanks all across the nation. It has since become a holiday prelude to the Christmas season, a time for family get-togethers, eating turkey, watching football and gearing up for the onrush of holiday shopping.

World awaits Russian response after Turkey downs fighter jet

Tensions ran high yesterday after it was announced that the Turkish military had shot down a Russian fighter plane, claiming it had violated Turkish air space and Russian officials denied that accusation. Russian President Putin called the downing a "stab in the back" and now it is not clear if he plans to retaliate, a move that could easily escalate into yet another war in the Middle East.

ACLU files lawsuit against Indiana governor for barring Syrian refugees

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday against Indiana governor Mike Pence to challenge his authority to block Syrian refugees from settling in that state.

Argentina elects new President

Argentine voters have elected Mauricio Macri as their new president, marking the end of a political dynasty that has been running the country for 12 and a half years.

Largest insurer threatens to pull out of ObamaCare

United Health Group, the largest insurance provider in the U.S. announced yesterday that it is considering withdrawing from ObamaCare after this next year, noting that it has lost money since it began offering exchanges under the program. The move would force hundreds of millions of people to find another provider.

Latest ISIS video hints at threat to New York City

A video released yesterday believed to be made by members of ISIS contained images of different places in New York City interspersed with video of a man constructing explosive devices--an apparent attempt to cause fear for people in the city. Police have been put on high alert.

CDC reports alarming increase in STDs

The U.S. Center for Disease Control issued a report yesterday underlining what it describes as an alarming increase in number of STD infections across the country. They suggest the increase is due in part to decreased funding of STD programs over the past decade and includes a rise in gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.

More governors saying no to Syrian refugees

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Paris, 18 governors in the U.S. are making announcements about their opinion on the U.S. accepting Syrian refugees--some have called for a reversal by President Obama, while others have said flat out that they will no let any of the refugees settle in their state. Most of the governors on the list are Republican. Others have noted that governors do not actually have the legal authority to bar refugees.

French bomb ISIS capital

French fighter jets dropped bombs, yesterday, on several targets in Raqqa, Syria, the capital of what ISIS calls its caliphate--it is not known if the campaign was effective or not, as the city has gone "dark" since ISIS took over. The bombing campaign came two days after the terrorist attacks on Paris and likely represents the beginning of a stepped-up initiative by the French to defeat the radical Islamic group.

Multiple terrorist attacks across Paris in one night

Downtown Paris became a war zone of sorts last night as at least six attacks were carried out on civilians across the city by unknown assailants. Hostages were taken and some killed in a music hall, gunmen shot people in nightclubs and restaurants and set off bombs outside of a stadium holding a soccer match. President Hollande declared a state of emergency for the entire country, closing borders and asking everyone in Paris to stay home. Thus far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

CDC survey shows 1 in 45 children in US have autism

One of several surveys conducted by the CDC recently indicated that one out of every 45 children in the U.S. has some form of autism, a number significantly higher than expected. It is not known if the rise in the rate of autism is due to increased accounting, or if if more children are actually getting the disorder.

Republicans hold another debate

The eight leading candidates for the Republican nomination for president held another debate last night, this time in Milwaukee, and hosted by Fox Business Network and the Wall Street Journal. The debate was noticeably more issue focused this time around, giving the candidates an opportunity to more clearly define their platforms.

Appeals court ruling puts Obama's immigration plan in doubt

A ruling by a federal appeals court has created a major setback to President Obama's immigration plans and may lead to deportation challenges heading to the Supreme Court.

Group claims mustard gas used in Syrian war

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is claiming that it has proof that mustard gas was used in the town of Marea, Syria, approximately two months ago. The group doesn't know which side used the gas, but claims that at least two adults were exposed to the gas and one baby died. Governments around the world, including the U.S., have proclaimed that they will not abide such use, thus if one or the other side begins to use it, it could mark mean other countries could become involved in the war in a more direct way.

Consumer Reports lists 20 least reliable cars

Consumer Reports has created a list of the least reliable cars on the market today. Fiat-Chrysler has more models on the list than any other, while Lexis remains the most reliable brand.

Facebook passes GE to become 7th most valuable company

Facebook's market value surged to $306.4 billion dollars as of yesterday, making it the 7th most valuable company in the S&P 500. The rise in value has shocked the financial world since its slow start after the 2012 IPO, gaining in value every year since, despite claims by analysts that the stock would falter. The rise has been attributed to a surprising steady increase in revenue.

US officials suggest bomb may have been put on down plane in Sinai

A team of U.S. intelligence experts has found evidence that a bomb might have been put on the plane that crashed into the Sinai desert prior to departure from Sharm el-Sheikh airport, but did not divulge the nature of the evidence.

Ohio voters vote no against marijuana

Voters in Ohio voted against legalizing marijuana in that state by a very wide margin yesterday, slowing the tide of states and local municipalities moving towards allowing people to use the drug legally. Ohio was seen as a bellwether of sorts and some believed that if the ultra-conservative state legalized the drug, than most others would follow.

Study finds toddlers using tablet computers

A new study conducted by a team at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia has found that toddlers as young as one were using tablet computers and approximately two thirds of four year old's had their own tablet and could use it by themselves. They suggest that tablet computers are replacing television for pree-school age children.

Chipotle closes stores in Washignton and Oregon due to E. coli scare

Chipotle has temporarily closed dozens of stores in Washington and Oregon after 22 cases of E. coli were traced back to the restaurant chain in those two states.

US launches new round of airstrikes in Syria

The U.S. military has launched a new round of airstrikes in ISIS occupied Hasakah Province in Syria as part of an effort to assist resistance forces on the ground retake lost territory.

Republicans hold 3rd debate

The Republican presidential hopefuls for the presidency held their third debate last night in Boulder Colorado and was broadcast on CNBC.

US unveils new anti-ISIS approach

Officials with Defense Department outlined yesterday, the new strategy the US will take in its fight against ISIS--and approach, they say that will involve more airstrikes and special operations raids.

Congress and White House near budget deal

Congressional leaders and White House officials told the press yesterday that a budget agreement is near and thus there should be no government shutdown this year.

Hurricane Patricia slams into Mexico

Hurricane Patricia, the strongest storm ever recorded in the eastern Pacific slammed into the coast of Mexico yesterday evening near the beach front town of  Barra de Navidad. It is not yet known how much damage occured, but early estimates suggest it was less than was expected and thus far no deaths have been reported.

Hillarly Clinton grilled for 11 hours over Benghazi

Former Secretary of State and current candidate for president, Hillary Clinton sat before the House Select committee on Benghazi for 11 hours yesterday answering questions about the attack on the Libyan Embassy in 2012 where Ambassador Christopher Stevens and US Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith were killed.

President to veto defense bill

The White House has announced that President Obama plans to veto a bill this afternoon that has been passed by Congress because it employs a "trick" to increase defense spending without increasing domestic security spending.

Liberal Justin Trudeau wins Prime Minister race in Canada

Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre, and leader of a liberal movement sweeping Canadian politics, has won in the election for new Prime Minister. His party won an outright majority marking a major turn away from a decade of conservative rule.

U.S. and Japan hold joint naval exercises in prelude to challenging China in South China Sea

The U.S. and Japan held joint naval maneuvers in Tokyo Baby yesterday as a sign of unity and strength in a part of the world where China has been building strength. The exercises came just days before the U.S. sends naval craft into the South China Sea in defiance of Chinese claims of sovereignty.

Last flight for US Airways this week

Because of a merger with American Airlines, US Airways will cease to exist after this week.

US sending troops to Africa to battle Boko Haram

White House officials told the press yesterday that 90 U.S. military personnel have been sent to Cameroon, and that another 200 will be sent to the area to help locals fight Boko Haram, a militant organization that has been seeking to take over territory by killing civilians over the past several years.

Democrats held first debate last night

The front-runners for the Democratic nomination for president held a debate last night in Las Vegas and was broadcast by CNN. There was no apparent winner, though two candidates, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders appeared to garner the most press coverage. Republican Donald Trump managed to keep himself in the news by live-tweeting his comments on comments made in the debate.

Democrat presidential candidates to hold debate tonight

Five leading Democrat candidates for the presidency will participate in a debate tonight starting at 8:30pm ET. The debate will take place in Las Vegas and will be broadcast by CNN. It will also be streamed live on CNNgo.

Russian cruise missiles land in Iran instead of Syria

Four Russian cruise missiles fired from ships in the Mediterranean Sea fell very far short of their targets in Syria and instead landed deep inside Iran. It appears the missiles did not explode, but instead simply crashed. This is the first time Russia has used such missiles in combat and the duds appear to show that the country still lags behind in guidance technology.

US to challenge China's South China Sea claims

For the first time in three years, the U.S. is set to send warships into a part of the South China Sea that China has recently claimed is part of its territorial waters.The move is meant to challenge that claim and it is not known how China will respond. The foray will proceed immediately once President Obama gives the go-ahead.

Six people charged in UN corruption scandal

Six people have been charged in connection with a UN corruption scandal which allegedly surrounds contracts made with corporations that paid UN members to vote for them.

California passes physician assisted suicide act

Governor Jerry Brown signed into a law, yesterday, an act passed by the California legislature that allows doctors to assist terminally ill patients who wish to end their lives prematurely. Called the End of Life Option Act, the passage marks sixth state to pass right to die laws.

Parts of East coast experiencing record rainfall and flooding

Parts of the U.S. East Coast have been experiencing record rainfall and flooding due to remnants of Hurricane Joaquin. Over two feet of rain fell on parts of South Caroline in just a few hours causing massive flooding--making things more difficult was high winds in the affected areas.

Cargo ship missing due to hurricane Joaquin

A cargo ship with 33 people aboard has reportedly gone missing after getting caught in hurricane Joaquin off the coast of the Bahamas. 28 of the crew are American and the ship radioed that it was in trouble with no engine power and listing to one side late Thursday and has not been heard from since.

Hackers steal 15 million records from Experian

Hackers broke into servers used by Experian--a company that processes credit applications for T-Mobile users, and made off with approximately 15 million records, putting users at risk of Identity theft.

Hurricane Joaquin strengthens as it moves closer to US

Hurricane Joaquin was upgraded to a category 3 hurricane yesterday as it moved closer to the Eastern shores of the United States. Experts predict the storm will strike somewhere around the Carolinas this weekend.

Georgiea executes woman

The state of Georgia executed a woman named Kelly Gissendaner this morning by lethal injection. She was convicted of plotting with another man to kill her husband back in 1997.

Presidents Obama and Putin meet

President Obama and President Putin met yesterday at the UN complex in New York--the two discussed the situation in Syria and other undisclosed topics and then met with the press to talk and answer questions.

Foreign born population nears record high

A new study by the Pew Research Center suggests that the number of people living in this country that were born elsewhere is likely to break a century old record over the next decade. The report also highlights the changing nature of immigration, such as the slowing of people coming from Mexico.

John Boehner resigns

Congressmen and Speaker of the House John Boehner announced yesterday that he intends to resign from Congress at the end of next month. The surprise announcement comes just prior to negotiations on the budget amid whispers of another government shutdown.

China to announce carbon emissions regulations

The Chinese government is on the verge of announcing new carbon emissions regulations in that country--a cap and trade program which will help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. President Xi Jinping is expected to make the announcement as part of summit meetings with President Obama this week.

Hackers stole 5.6 million fingerprints from government

The Office of Personnel Management has reported that 5.6 million fingerprints belonging to federal government workers were stolen when that agency's computers were hacked over a period of several years. Included among those hacked were spies and other secret government workers which puts their lives at risk if they are exposed.

Yogi Berra has passed away

Yogi Berra was a famous baseball player, but was even more famous for coining phrases such as "it's not over till it's over." He was 90 years old but will be remembered always for his witty way of getting to the point in short order with such witticisms as "when you get to a fork in the road, take it," or "you can observe a lot by just watching."

Pope coming to U.S. today

The Pope is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. today to talk to/with Catholics (and others) in Washington D.C. It will be the first trip by the Argentine Pope, to this country and his visit has stirred controversy due to political remarks he has made in the recent past.

Emmy awards given last night

The Emmy Awards ceremony was held last night.

Wal-Mart to hire 60,00 Holiday Workers

In anticipation of a brisk holiday season, Wal-Mart has announced that it will be hiring 60,000 workers across the country to handle the increased shopper volume, this year, adding to its total of 1.4 million force.

Republicans held their second debate last night

Eleven Republicans held a debate last night at the Reagan Presidential Library--it was aired on CNN.

Earthquake strikes Santiago Chile

An 8.3 earthquake struck just north of the the capital city of Santiago Chile yesterday--a 13 foot tsunami was also generated.

Study shows children get 12% of calories from fast food

A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics a CDC group, claims that American children get 12 percent of their calories from fast food. They also report that on any given day one third of all children in the country eat some variant of fast food.

Massachusetts bans seal of e-cigarettes to minors

Following a national trend, the state of Massachusetts has taken action to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors-research has shown that they can be just as dangerous as tobacco cigarettes, and in some cases, worse, depending on the chemicals that wind up in them. The move comes as more states and local governments are tightening regulations on the new method of smoking.

Nearly 3 million advised to flee flooding

Officials in Japan have advised nearly three million people to flee an eastern region of the country that has been experiencing heavy flooding with more expected in the aftermath of a tropical storm. Rescuers have been lifting people from rooftops with helicopters reminiscent of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina struck that city.

Feds mulling first interest rate hike in a decade

The Federal Reserve will decide this week whether or not to raise the prime rate, putting a stop to historically low interest rates that have been held in place since the Great Recession.

Iran's Khamenie quoted predicting the demise of Israel

Iran's Ayatollah Khamenie was quoted as predicting that Israel will cease to exist over the next quarter of a century, during a speech in which he addressed the nuclear agreement reductions the country recently made in order to curtail sanctions against that country.

Energy Depart repeatedly struck by cyber attacks

The U.S. Department of Energy was targeted by hackers approximately 150 times between 2010 and 2014 government records indicate, suggesting that the department is a highly desirable target due to information it holds on the nation's power grid, nuclear power stations and weapons stockpile.

Poll shows wide difference in how whites and blacks view police treatment of blacks

A poll conducted by Sachs Media group found that 88 percent of black respondents felt that police treated them unfairly, compared to just 59 percent of whites asked about police treatment of blacks. The poll also revealed the differences in views in various parts of the country regarding police treatment of black people.

President considering response to Syrian refugee crisis

President Obama is reportedly considering options for allowing Syrian refugees to migrate to the United States, a spokesman for the National Security Council told reporters yesterday. Pressure has been mounting for a U.S. response as several European countries have begun accepting refugees that have run from the civil war raging in their country.

Drones invade two separate sports events

One drone crashed landed inside the football stadium at Kentucky University during festivities leading up to a game, and another crashed into the empty part of the stands at the U.S. Open tournament while a match was in play--both signal the growing threat posed by drones and the difficulty officials face in preventing them from gaining access to restricted areas.

Found plane part confirmed to be from flight MH370

French aviation officials confirmed yesterday that the airplane part found on Reunion Island two months ago did indeed come from Indonesian Airlines flight MH370, which partially solves the mysterious disappearance of the plane that vanished from radar in March of 2014. Because the plane could not fly without the missing part, it is now clear that the plane crashed--though where, is still a mystery.

China announces plan to cut troop levels by 300,000

China's President Xi announced yesterday that troop levels for his country will be cut by 300,000, a 13 percent reduction in force level. The announcement came during a speech to mark the victory over Japan in World War II.

Study claims more than half of immigrants receive some form of government assistance

A new report conducted by the Center of Immigration Studies claims that 51 percent of immigrant families receive some form of government assistance, e.g. Medicaid, food stamps, housing assistance or school lunches. They also claim that 30 percent of non-immigrants receive some form of assistance.

Volunteers for NASA enter biodome for year long space test

Six people entered an isolation dome yesterday situated on a remote, and barren part of an Hawaiian Island--they will remain in the dome (except for short excursions outside in space suits) for one year. It's part of a test NASA is conducting to see how people adapt or respond to conditions similar to that found on Mars.

President says it's almost too late to stop climate change

While meeting with other representatives of Arctic nations, yesterday, President Obama made a speech decrying the feeble attempt by countries of the world to stop or even slow carbon emissions that are leading to global warming--his strongest wording yet.

Mount McKinley to get original name back

North America's highest mountain, McKinley, will officially have its name changed back to Mount Denali, officials with the Obama administration have announced.

Tropical storm Erika causing havoc in Carribean

Tropical storm Erika continued its move across the Caribbean yesterday, killing 20 people in Dominica and causing extensive damage to many islands including Haiti. Heavy flooding has been the main problem.

FDA approves another cholesterol fighting drug

The FDA has approved an injectable drug called Amgen for use in fighting high cholesterol in people with liver problems or those that have had a heart attack or stroke. It is the second PCSK9 inhibitor drug approved by the administration.

Amazon cuts back on engineers after phone flop

Amazon has begun laying off engineers at its famed Lab126, amid plans to slow its efforts to create digital hardware products. The move comes on the heels of the disastrous introduction of its "Fire" smartphone.

China stocks fall again causing global market fluctuations

The Shanghai Composite was down again this morning, a sign that Chinese stock prices are still in flux--the losses have caused markets to fluctuate wildly across the globe including large drops in U.S. markets. The chaos has been attributed to concern about China's economy, U.S. interest rates and the sudden drop in oil prices.

Eight heroin overdoses in one town on one night highlight epidemic

The town of Washington Pennsylvania recently had eight people in completely separate incidents overdose on heroin in one night, highlighting town officials said, how bad the problem has become. National officials are also calling for action as heroin use across the country has skyrocketed. Some have suggested the surge is due to the increase in abuse of prescription pain killers-when the prescriptions run out, abusers turn to heroin, a very close replacement.

American passengers subdue gunman on French train

A gunman carrying a machine gun and firing at passengers was taken down by three American passengers who happened to be on the train yesterday. One of the Americans, a U.S. soldier was wounded.

North Korea orders troops to war footing

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered troops in that country to be on alert and ready to go to war yesterday after the two countries fired shells across the hostile border in retaliation for loudspeaker broadcasts at border sites.

Jared Fogle pleads guilty to sex crimes

Ex Subway spokesman Jared Fogle is pleading guilty to several crimes associated with paying to have sex with minor aged girls and possession of child pornography.He is facing five to 12 years in prison.

FDA approves libido enhancer pill for women

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved yesterday, the first drug meant for enhancing libido in women. Called Addyi, the pill is meant to increase sexual desire, though it will come with a warning about serious possible effects, which include drops in blood pressure and fainting.

Milestone as two women graduate army ranger school

Two unidentified women have graduated from the army ranger school, the first time any women have done so, marking a historic occasion for the U.S. military which has increasingly made moves to pave the way for women being put into front-line combat roles.

Japanese economy shrinks again

Economists offered bad news for Japan with that country's economy shrinking in the past quarter--a setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's turnaround policies. The news highlights long-term problems for the country that has experienced a decade of deflation.

Experts predict online doctor visits to become routine

The National Business Group on Health has released findings of a study they conducted and announced that they believe online doctor visits will become much more common. Instead of traveling to a doctor's office, people will sit down in front of their computer, tablet or smart phone, turn on their camera and microphone and conduct a virtual visit with their doctor. Some will also use at-home devices such as blood pressure cuffs that plug into home computers to convey medical data directly to the doctor.

Flag to go up in Cuba after 54 years

The U.S. flag will be raised in Cuba at the newly restored American Embassy in Havana today, the first time that has happened since 1961. Secretary of State John Kerry will attend the ceremony which highlights thawing of relations between the two countries after many years of isolation.

Milk prices continue to fall

Chinese hording of powdered milk and Russian trade sanctions have led to an international glut of milk and have combined to cause milk prices to drop significantly. Last year's 3$ a gallon for milk can now be bought for 1$, providing relief for consumers but hardships for dairy farmers across the globe.

Oil prices slump as Yuan slides

China's yuan hit a four year low yesterday, continuing its slide and causing ripples across the world. One such ripple was reduced oil demand in that country causing the price of crude to fall for a second day in a row. Many experts predict the drop in oil prices will continue as China's woes continue.

China devalues the yuan

In a surprise move, the Chinese government (The People's Bank of China) devalued the yuan yesterday by almost 2 percent against the value of the US dollar. The move came amid a period of slow growth in the country and led to worldwide currency fluctuations.

US sends jets and and 300 personal to Turkey to fight ISIS

The U.S. military sent six fighter jets to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey yesterday, as part of a plan to bomb Islamic Militants. 300 personnel were also sent to support the bombers. Potential targets for bombing have not been released.

Typhoon comes ashore in China

Typhoon Soudelor has come ashore on mainland China, killing 8 people and causing widespread damage. The typhoon caused even more damage as it struck Taiwan two days ago after being billed as the largest storm of any type this year.

215,000 jobs added last month

The US job market added 215,000 new hires last month, continuing a trend that has been ongoing for several months. The unemployment rate stands at just 5.3 percent, though both number may be misleading as many of those jobs are classified as underemployment--where people take a job that pays less than what they used to get.

GOP contenders hold debate

The 10 top polling Republicans held a debate last night, sparring over a variety of topics--they were followed by the seven "second tier" contenders in their own debate.

Malaysian Prime Minister says plane part was from Flight 370

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced yesterday that the plane part found on Reunion Island was confirmed to be from flight 370. He said a team of experts had proven the part was from the plane, though officials in France, where the part is being examined, have only gone so far as to say that there is a strong supposition that the part is from flight 370. More tests will have to be done, they added, before it can be proven to be from that plane. 

Kerry to meet with Russian Foreign Minister

Secretary of State John Kerry will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Minister Sergei Lavrov today to discuss a number of issues, though front and center will be the war in Syria as part of an effort to fight Islamic State militants.

GOP candidates hold Voters First forum

All 14 of the current Republican candidates for president filed onstage last night for a forum broadcast on C-SPAN. Each was allowed two minutes to talk and to answer a few questions. The forum was held to introduce voters to the large number of candidates prior to the first Republican debate this Thursday in Cleveland Ohio.

President Obama imposes emission limits on coal fired power plants

President Obama used his executive powers to place emission controls on coal fired power plants as part of a move to curb greenhouse gas emissions that most most scientists believe is causing global warming. The new controls would not go into effect, however until after 2016, which will mean his successor will have to follow through with the plan for it to work.

Joe Biden edging closer to presidential run

Joe Biden has, according to his aides, been holding meetings with his staff to discuss a possible run for President, Those close to him are reporting that it appears that the Vice President will make a run as his team sees Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton as vulnerable.

Lawmakers vacation could lead to government shutdown

The U.S. government is possibly facing another shutdown as time left for passing a new fiscal budget is being used instead as a vacation for House members. Congress has until October 1 to pass the budget but House members won't return from their vacation until just 10 days before the deadline, leaving little wiggle room for debate and voting.

UN predicts India to pass China as world's most populous country

The United Nations has released a report called World Population that offers predictions about global population growth over the next half century, in it, there is a prediction that India will pass China as the most populous country over the next decade. They also predict that Nigeria will surpass the United States as the third most populous country.

Government says health care spending by consumers to rise faster

The US Department of Health and Human Services issued a report yesterday part of which outlines reasons why they believe consumer spending on health care costs will rise faster starting in the near future than it has over the past six years--so fast that it will outpace overall economic growth.

Boy Scouts end ban on gay scout leaders

Boy Scouts of America has voted to end a ban that prohibited gay troop leaders and paid employees. The organization has been heavily criticized by many in the media for its stance on gay opposition.

Fiat fined record $105 million

Fiat Chrysler has been fined $105 million by the US Highway Traffic Safety Administration because of lapses in safety recalls regarding faulty suspension parts that could lead to loss of control. Fiat will also have to pay for repairs or vehicle replacement for customers with defects.

President visiting Africa

President Obama has traveled to Africa, the first stop is in Kenya, where he will visit for two days before traveling to Ethiopia.

Man with a gun opens fire in LA movie theater

A man with a handgun opened fire in a movie theater last night killing two people and wounding seven others, before shooting and killing himself. The theater is in Lafayette Louisiana and the shooting came nearly three years to the day after the theater shooting in Colorado.

Higher localized minimum wage gaining ground

Workers pushing for a higher minimum wage are increasingly meeting with success. New York State has now passed legislation putting the number at $18/hour. Also the University of California has mandated the same wage mark for all of its employees. The moves come after other cities such as Oakland, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Berkeley, have put in rules increasing minimum wage to the same rate,

Use of morning after pill increasing with teens

The CDC has released a report that shows that use of the morning after pill by teenage girls has climbed dramatically in recent years--the Center reports that over 1 in 5 sexually active teen girls between 15 and 19 have used the pill to prevent pregnancy. The increased usage is likely due, they also report to the drug being taken off the list of prescription drugs.

More children living in poverty than during great recesson

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is reporting that the percentage of children living in poverty today in the U.S. is higher than it was at the peak of the Great Recession. Last year, the number stood at 22 percent, while it was just 18 percent in 2008. Minority children, they report were more than twice as likely as white children to be living below the poverty line.

US and Cuba officially restore diplomatic ties

The U.S. and Cuba have officially, after fifty four years, restored diplomatic relations, with both sides opening embassies in the other country. The new relationship became official at midnight on July 20th.

KKK and New Black Panther party both protest at South Carolina Capitol

Members of the KKK, sans white robes, and mostly white and male, protested the removal of the Confederate Battle flag from the capital yesterday as mostly black protesters representing the New Black Panther Party did the same--both outside the state house.

Dozens of cars burn as wildfire jumps California freeway

Approximately 20 cars and trucks caught on fire yesterday after being stalled in a traffic jam that was overtaken by a brush-fire on California's I-15 freeway--the one that links Los Angeles with Las Vegas. There were no injuries despite police using bullhorns to ask drives to remain in their vehicles. Those requests were ignored as the vehicle occupants fled to the hills to safety.

Gunman kills four marines at Navy reserve facilty

A man identified as Mohammod Youssef Abdulazees opened fire on unsuspecting marines at a Navy reserve facility yesterday killing for marines and injuring three other people. The gunman was also killed.

New Horizons sends back first close-up pic of Pluto

NASA's New Horizons space probe sent back images of the planetoid Pluto yesterday, the first ever  up-close pictures ever taken. Pluto is approximately 3 billion miles away from us, and it took the probe nine and a half years to get there.

Iran Nuclear deal reached

Representatives from several countries and Iran confirmed that a nuclear deal has been reached. In exchange for Iran curtailing its nuclear ambitions and allowing UN inspectors into the country, the country will get relief from the trade embargo that has been in place for several yeas crushing its economy.

Space probe set to rendezvous with Pluto

NASA's New Horizons space probe is on a course to conduct a flyby of the recently demoted Pluto, in the next few days. The craft has already sent back pictures showing that the planetoid has far more spots than was believed and has been traveling for nine years already.

First all electric plane crosses the English Channel;

A plane has flown over the English Channel with nothing but an electric motor to power its turbines--a first in aviation history and a milestone for electrically powered aircraft. The Airbus E-Fan twin engine craft flew from Loyd in Britain to Calais in France.

Convicted navy pilot reportedly offered secrets to Chinese

Prosecutors are looking into a letter purportedly written by Lt. Daniel Chase Harris to Chinese officials after his conviction on child pornography charges. In the letter, Harris offers to give secrets to the Chinese if they would break him out of jail.

Hackers stole info on over 21 million people

The U.S.'s Office of Personnel Management has announced that hackers have stolen personal information on over 21 million Americans from government computers. The victims involved included government employees, their family members and civilians who were having background checks done on them.

Tech problems strike three big compaines

Three big American companies suffered tech glitches yesterday that disrupted services to millions of users: United Airlines, the New York Stock Exchange and the Wall Street Journal, each had technical problems that did not appear to be related to each other or hacking issues. Instead, they appear to be a a sign of the increasing complexity of large systems which makes them more likely to experience problems.

J.P. Morgan ordered to pay $125 million for illegal debt collection activities

J.P. Morgan, the nation's largest bank has agreed to pay $125 million as a settlement for its illicit deb collection activities, which included engaging in improper attempts to collect debts and some of the ways it sold consumer credit card debt.

Man who shot woman on pier says it was an accident

Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an illegal Mexican immigrant told reporters yesterday that he did indeed shoot Kate Steinle, a woman walking on a pier in San Francisco last week. But he added, it was an accident. He says he found the gun on the ground and that it went off after he picked it up. The shooting has stirred a national debate about immigration after it was discovered that the man had been deported five times already.

US wins World Cup

The U.S. women's team has won the Word Cup final, beating Japan 5-3.

Greece votes "no" on referendum

Greek voters overwhelmingly voted "no" on the referendum put before them yesterday on whether to accept creditor conditions which would have invoked harsh austerity measures. The vote leaves the country in uncertainty as to whether it will remain in the Eurozone, and whether hard times are coming in the face of what appears to be insurmountable debt. It is not yet known how the vote will impact financial markets in the rest of the world.

Women's World Cup Final today.

The U.S. will take on Japan in the final of the women's world cup today at 7pm ET--it will be played in Vancouver Canada.

Greeks to vote on creditor proposal referendum today

People in Greece will go to the polls today to vote yes or no on a referendum put forth to decide the country's fate--whether to accept a proposal by creditors that will include austerity measures, or to reject it, perhaps setting the country on a course that will take it out of the Eurozone.

America celebrates 4th of July

Today is July 4th, 2015, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. People across the country will celebrate by hosting BBQs, having parades, drinking beer, setting off firecrackers and attending fireworks at the close of they day.

Job growth in US slows but still strong

A new poll conducted by Reuters news agency revealed that non-farming hires rose by 230,000 last month compared to 280,000 in May resulting in the jobless rate falling to 5.4 percent, a seven year low.

US women beat Germany to advance to final in World Cup

The US women's soccer team beat the Germans in a World Cup semifinal 2-0 match to advance to the final against either England or Japan on Sunday.

President outlines plan to increase overtime pay for salaried workers

President Obama outlined a plan he and his staff have been working on in an article on the Huffington Post, to increase pay for salaried workers in the U.S. which he says will positively impact approximately five million salaried workers across the country. It will cover all salaried employees making up to $50,400 a year. He added that "a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay."

Greece financial crisis having worldwide impact

Greece's inability to repay its debts on time is having a worldwide impact: Greek banks have closed and its stock market has been shut down, oil prices worldwide fell on the news and the Euro dropped sharply in value over night. Because of the continued uncertainty, economists are predicting more fallout, though there is little agreement on what that might entail.

Explosion at water park concert in Taiwan injures over 500 people

An explosion caused by the ignition of a "white powder" near the stage during an ongoing concert in Taipei, Taiwan has injured over 500 people with almost 200 of them suffering burns significant enough to need care at local hospitals. It is not known if the blast was intentional.

Historic week for United States

This past week has been by virtually any standard one of the most historic weeks ever for people in the US--the Supreme Court made gay marriage legal everywhere, Obamacare overcame perhaps its last hurdle and race relations took on a surprising new tone in the aftermath of a church shooting as the Confederate Flag--once a symbol of southern pride, is now being taken down and put away--a signal that people in the US are finally ready to face racism head-on, in a positive way.

President wins trade legislation

President Obama was handed a major victory yesterday as lawmakers passed legislation that will give him more flexibility in trade negotiations with other countries. The legislation was opposed by many in his own party but was overcome by strong Republican support.

NATO to triple size of response force in Europe

NATO officials announced yesterday that its force size in Europe will be tripled in size to 40,000 troops to meet the challenge of Russia's announcement of increases in its force size.

WikiLeaks claims NSA spied on French Presidents

WikiLeaks released a press announcement yesterday in which they claim that the NSA hacked into communications between French Presidents, Hollande, Sarkozy and Chirac over the years 2006 to 2012--they claim to have obtained top secret documents that prove US agents were listening in on phone conversations and perhaps other communication channels.

Tornados derecho strike midwest

Strong storms struck the Midwest yesterday spawning tornadoes and derechos in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan causing extensive damage to property and farmland.

White House showing signs of bypassing Congress on gun control

Despite President Obama's words after the Charleston shootings suggesting that gun control is not possible in this country, there are signs his administration is looking to use the powers he possesses to impose restrictions on the sale of guns across the country.

Russia offers to give Greece bailout

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that he was ready to offer emergency aid to the country as part of an oil line package deal. The move could help Greece avoid bankruptcy and possible expulsion from the European Union.

Noted microbiologist claims human race will go extinct in a hundred years

Noted microbiologist Frank Fenner is publicly predicting that the human race will cease to exist over the next hundred years due to climate change, dwindling resources and overcrowding. Fenner was one of the principle leaders in the eradication of smallpox and has been issuing warnings before, but until none quite this dour. He believes the critical point of possible survival by making adjustments has been passed.

Woman to be put on $10 bill

The Treasury Department announced yesterday that a women will be put on the $10 bill starting in 2020. It has not been decided yet, which woman that will be.

Fed set to raise interest rate

Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen hinted yesterday that the Fed is likely to raise interest rates for the first time in a decade, suggesting the U.S. economy is finally strong enough to withstand such a move.

House and Senate meet to discuss possible healthcare outcomes

Top House and Senate leaders have set up meetings with other lawmakers to discuss options should the Supreme Court decide that federal subsidies under Obamacare are illegal. Possibilities include drawing up legislative acts that would provide replacement funds in another form.

US industrial production down last month

Industrial production in the US was down 0.2 percent last month due mostly to a drop in mining and manufacturing, though that was an improvement over the 0.5 drop in April. Much of the drop has been blamed on a strong dollar.

Talks between Greece and EU leaders fail

A meeting between EU creditors and Greek officials ended with no agreement in sight leading to speculation that Greece will not be able to make its payment due this Friday, which could perhaps lead to its expulsion from the EU. If that occurs, it could hurt the reputation of the alliance and possibly cause others to question its resolve.

US to house heavy military equipment in Europe

An anonymous high ranking government official has told reporters that the U.S. military has plans to house a large amount of military equipment at various bases around Europe. Such equipment would include tanks, rocket launchers, etc. The move is expected to serve as a warning to Russia against further incursions into other countries in Western Europe.

Cyber security bill derailed by add-ons

Legislation meant to strengthen protections against cyber attacks was  thwarted yesterday as the Senate voted against the bill because of resolutions that had been added such as using a special war fund to allow the Department of Defense to avoid mandatory spending caps.

President sends more trroops to Iraq to fight IS

President Obama has ordered 450 more troops to Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi soldiers battling the Islamic State. Those troops will join the 3,100 are already there--the plan is to help the Iraqis take back territory lost to IS.

MERS cases in South Korea rise to 108

The number of people who have contracted the MERS virus in South Korea has climbed to 108 cases after 13 more infections were reported. The deadly disease has sparked widespread closings in the country and has led to President Park Geun-hye postponing  a visit to the U.S. to deal with the crises.

Computer, phone extortion attacks doubled last quarter

A type of virus that can attack both computers and smartphones/tablets has doubled in the number of users struck over just the past three months according to security software maker McAfee Labs. The virus prevents users from accessing their own data until the user pays some amount of money to the hackers who created it.

Passage of surveillance bill allows for ratification of nuclear treaties

The passage of the government surveillance bill last week has opened the door to ratification of two little known treaties meant to make it more difficult for terrorists to obtain nuclear weapons. Wording in the bill which was signed by President Obama permits the U.S. to formerly endorse two treaties: the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

American Pharoah wins Belmont and Triple Crown/ SerenaWilliams wins French Open

American Pharoah won the third leg of the Triple Crown yesterday a feat not achieved for 37 years. Also, Serena Williams won the title at the French Open, marking her 20th Grand Slam title.

OPEC members agree to keep oil pumping despite glut

Members of OPEC met yesterday and agreed to continue with unrestricted output for at least the next six months, despite an oil glut that is keeping prices down. Coming into the meeting some had called for restraint to push prices up. The move is expected to help hold down prices of gasoline at the pump.

FDA recommends approval of female Viagra

Experts with the US Food and Drug Agency yesterday gave a recommendation that the pill known as flibanserin be approved, barring any unforeseen health problems. The drug, which is supposed to increase the libido in women who take it, will still have to pass formal approval before it can be sold publicly.

Homeland Security says China hacked into federal computers

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security claimed yesterday that they believe hackers working for the Chinese government broke into computers used in a government personnel office, making off with private information about four million government workers.

EPA says fracking not impacting drinking water

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced the results of a four year study yesterday part of which was a proclamation that fracking does not have a broad impact on the quality of drinking water in this country. Though the agency noted that the potential exists for pollution problems in the future.

Study shows men outnumber women 2 to 1 in presenting the news

A new study commissioned by the Women's Media Center has found that men outnumber women in bringing news to the public by a margin of 2-to-1, which includes, broadcasting, printed stories and producer credit.

G-7 to meet this weekend

A G-7 summit meeting will take place this weekend in Germany-President Obama will be there along with other western leaders. The main focus is expected to be on Russia and the war in Ukraine.

LA to vote on increasing minimum wage to $15/hour

The Los Angeles City Council is set to vote today on whether to endorse a minimum pay hike to $15 per hour. If approved the hike would apply to all workers in the city and would take effect in 2020.

Boat in China with 458 aboard capsizes massive rescue effort underway

A passenger boat on a river in China carrying 458 people has capsized, turning completely upside down making it extremely difficult for rescue workers to save them. To date, five bodies have been recovered and only about a dozen people have been rescued. Most are believed to be alive still and those on site report they can hear people yelling for help.

Vice President's son dies

Vice President Joe Biden's son and Beau has died of brain cancer. Biden was a former Attorney General for Delaware. He was 46 yeas old.

Man shot by police during struggle to save him from drowning in flood

A state police officer shot and killed a man that was being rescued in a flood in Oklahoma. After being rescued from a flooding river, one of the victims got in an altercation with the state trooper who then shot and killed him.

Dennis Hastert former Speaker of the House indicted for illegal cash withdrawals

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert has been indicted on charges of making illegal cash withdrawals and lying to the FBI about it. Federal prosecutors told the media they believe the illegal cash structuring was made to hide payments to an unknown person, to perhaps buy their silence on some as yet unknown activity.

India heat wave deaths climb to 1,400

The heat wave in India has now claimed over 1,400 lives - people living there have taken to crowding into rivers, eating onions and attempting to squeeze into shady spots as temperatures soared to 117 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperatures are expected to continue for several more days, scorching people and melting roads.

Hackers gain access to 100,000 taxpayer's info from IRS

The IRS commissioner announced yesterday that the tax returns of approximately 100,000 people were accessed by online hackers over the past four months.

Women march for peace across North South Korea border

A group of women, one of which was Gloria Steinem, were taken by bus across a bridge between North and South Korea yesterday, after plans for a walk were denied by officials from the North. The march was part of the 2015 International Women's Grand March for the Reunification and Peace in Korea.

Senate blocked a bill that would have extended the Patriot Act

They US Senate blocked a bill yesterday that would have extended major sections of the Patriot Act which will expire on June 1 if not approved. The bill failed on a procedural vote.

World Trade Center Observation Deck opens

Signaling that the new World Trade Center is nearing completion was the opening this week of the Observation Deck atop the Freedom Tower--it has been receiving journalists this week and will open to the general public a week from today.

Air Force launches mini-shuttle into space

The US Air Force has launched an un-manned mini-shuttle into orbit. It's a secret mission, and the fourth for the X-37B. The last mission lasted over two years. The Air Force has not revealed the purpose of the craft no any details about it.

Oregon to test pay-per-mile instead of gas tax

The state of Oregon has implemented a test program to determine if consumers would be willing to undergo pay-per-mile driving instead of a standard gas tax. Officials believe such a program would generate more revenue for state road and bridge maintenance. This summer 5000 volunteers will try the program.

President Obama opens private Twitter account

President Obama has created a Twitter account for himself that allows him to communicate publicly without filtering. The account, called @POTUS, has already garnered more than a million followers.

Iranian official says OPEC will not cut oil output

Iran's deputy oil minister has told the press that OPEC member will likely not cut oil production to stem falling prices during its next meeting in June. That, in turn, experts suggest, will mean continued low prices for gasoline at the pump.

Weak manufacturing numbers lead to low dollar against Euro

Industrial production in the US fell for the fifth month in a row, also a recent poll showed consumer confidence falling over the same period and the uncertainty has led to the dollar dropping to a three month low against the Euro.

Blues legend B.B. King dead at 89

Legendary blues guitarist and singer B.B. King has died at the age of 89 at his home.

President Obama host Camp David Summit with Mid-East leaders

President Obama is hosting the leaders of six Middle East nations at Camp David today to discuss ongoing discussions with Iran concerning its nuclear program.

Five people killed in Amtrak train crash

Five people were killed and at least a 140 people were injured when a Amtrak train derailed and crashed in Philadelphia last night.

Tom Brady suspended for role in deflatage role

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games in the upcoming season for his role in deflating footballs prior to games--a clear rules violation. The team itself was also fined a million dollars and had two draft picks taken away.

North Korea claims to have fired a test ballistic missle

Officials with the North Korean government announced that a ballistic missile had been test-fired from a submarine. No other confirmation of the test has been made.

Businesses looking to increase wages

An earnings conference calling conference will take place over the next few weeks with businesses big and small contemplating increased wages. Walmart, Target, the Gap and McDonald's have all already given in to employee demands for higher wages.

Conservatives win in Britain Cameron set to govern five more years

The Conservatives won 203 of 650 seats in the recent election in Britain in allowing David Cameron to keep his position as Prime Minister for another five years.

Several tornadoes in plains states

Several tornadoes caused damage in Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma yesterday. No deaths were reported but many places, especially in Kansas and Oklahoma reported widespread damage.

California institutes even harsher water restrictions

California's State Water Resources Control Board has issued new rules for water use by people, businesses and governments, calling for massive reductions in the face of the state's four year long drought.

President picks next Chairman of Joint Chiefs

President Obama has nominated Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr.to replace Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Two gunman shot and killed in Texas at Mohammad cartoon exhibit

Two men were shot and killed by Texas police officers after they opened fire on a security officer, wounding him in the leg--at an exhibit showing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, in Garland Texas.

Mayweather beats Pacquiao - American Pharaoh wins Kentucky Derby

Floyd Mayweather defeated Manny Pacquio by unanimous decision last night, while American Pharaoh won the Kentucky Derby yesterday evening- Firing Line and Dortmund finished second and third.

Price of oil rises the most in six months

The price of oil saw its biggest gain in six months in April, with crude oil prices rising $12 a barrel, a rise of nearly 25 percent. Part of the rise was attributed to a weak dollar and a widespread belief that the current oil glut is weakening. It is not yet clear what impact the rise will have on gasoline prices.

Protest over Baltimore Freddie Gray's death spreads to other cities

Protester's took to the streets in several major cities across the country (including New York, Indianapolis,Washington D.C.)  yesterday in support of the protesters in Baltimore, angry over the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died of a spinal injury while in police custody.

US lawmakers crafting bills to stamp out government phone surveilence

Both houses of Congress are working on versions of a bill that would prohibit the US government from spying on its citizens via telephone data collection. The House sent a bill called the "The USA Freedom Act" to the floor yesterday.

Protesters riot in Baltimore

People protesting the mysterious death of Freddie Gray while in police custody resorted to violence last night as the protest turned into a riot. Buildings and police cars were set on fire causing the governor to declare parts of the city a state of emergency--clearing the way for the National Guard to move in and restore order. The riots come on the heels of several prominent incidents involveing the deaths or injuries of black men by police.

Dollar down after disappointing economic news

The U.S. dollar was down against other currencies this morning as investors responded to disappointing news about the economy from several government agencies. The biggest impact on the dollar appeared to come from news that U.S. business investment spending plans fell for the seventh straight month.

Avalanche from Nepal earthquake kills 17 on Mt Everest

The Nepal earthquake that caused widespread destruction and up to 2000 deaths has also caused an avalanche on Mt Everest killing 17 and injuring 61 other people. Among the dead was an executive with Google.

Loretta Lynch confirmed as new Attorney General

Loretta Lynch, first nominated by President Obama to be his Attorney General five months ago, to replace Eric Holder, has been confirmed by the Senate in a 56-43 vote. She will be the first black female AG.

WHO report says 1 in 5 children not vaccinated

The World Health Organization reported yesterday that 1 out of 5 children in the world don't get vaccinated against diseases. That number amounts to 22 million children needlessly put at risk of catching serious diseases, officials said, nearly half of which are in just three countries, India, Pakistan and Nigeria.

Today is Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, a day to celebrate and consider the natural environment and our impact on it.

FCC to be briefed on Comcast Time-Warner merger

Members of the FCC are to be briefed today regarding a request by Comcast and Time Warner to merge, creating a mammoth cable TV and Internet providing company--the largest in the country.

Asian-African Conference starts off with call for new world order

The 60th annual Asian-African Conference being held in Jakarta Indonesia this year started off with calls from leaders of several African and Asian countries calling for a new world order--one that is more open to emerging economic powers and averse to colonialism and military conflict.

Blue Bell ice cream recall over listeria fear

The makers of Blue Bell ice cream have issued a recall for all  of its products starting immediately because testing showed a possible health risk of listeria-a type of food poisoning-at one of its plants. Consumes are asked to not eat any of the company's products until they can be deemed safe.

Mobilegeddon set to alter Google search results starting today

Google has changed how its search algorithm works so that sites that display well on mobile devices get preference on search results starting today. That could mean that millions of people using their phones and tablets to conduct searches could find their sites missing from their normal place atop the search engine's listing.

Congressional Republicans considering tax credits for Obamacare

In light of the Supreme Court's consideration of the Affordable Health Care Act tax subsidies, Congressional Republicans are considering options should the land's highest court decide the current subsidies are unconstitutional. One option would be a refundable tax credit, which some Democrats have already labeled Obamacare lite.

Three people shot at University cook-out

Three people were reportedly shot yesterday evening at a Delaware State University student cookout.  The shooter has not been caught, but police have a description of the person they believe is responsible and have launched a local manhunt.

Boat capsizes in Mediterranean - hundreds feared dead

A boat carrying approximately 700 people, mostly migrants, capsized off the coast of Libya last night. The Italian coast guard has reportedly only saved 28 people so far. The boat apparently turned over after most of the people on board suddenly moved to one side as another ship approached.

Organized criminals caused spike in hacking last year

Software security firm Symantec is reporting that major hacking incidents rose 23 percent last year, due mostly to a rise in organized hacker groups.

Teen use of e-cigarette use tripled last year

The CDC has released a report that shows that the number of teens using e-cigarettes tripled last year as the smoking of tobacco cigarettes by teens fell 9.2 percent.

Unauthorized ultralight lands on Capitol lawn

A small ultralight aircraft landed on the Capitol lawn yesterday, after flying through restricted airspace in downtown Washington D.C. The pilot, a postal worker, reportedly said he was on a mission to deliver a message to Congress, was promptly arrested and faces charges of violating aviation laws.

Third man arrested for spring break gang rape in Florida

A third man has been arrested for his alleged participation in the gang rape of a woman lying comatose on a Panama City Florida beach last month. The woman had passed out after drinking too much and several men raped her while hundreds of people milled about around them. The rape was caught on video, which led to the arrests.

Senate passes "doc fix" Medicare bill

The Senate has passed a bill that prevents doctors from receiving a 21% cut in payments for patients on Medicare. The planned cut was part of a funding formula designed to reduce Medicare costs with many suggesting such cuts would cause a lot of doctors to drop Medicare patients.. President Obama has pledged to sign the bill.

China's economy sees slowest growth since 2009

Officials in China announced that economic growth for that country slowed to just 7%, last month, the slowest rate since 2009. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to take measures to increase the country's economic growth which has fallen to levels not seen since the worldwide financial crises, a half decade ago.

Australian parents to lose tax benefits if they don't vaccinate children

The Australian government has put into place new rules hoping to put pressure on parent's who refuse to have their children vaccinated against various diseases. Failure to comply could result in the loss of tax deductions for childcare expenses and other child related expenses. The move came after the death last month of a child that had contracted whooping cough after his parents had refused to have him vaccinated. Similar legislation is being considered in other places around the world including the United States.

Hillary Clinton announces presidential bid

Hillary Clinton has officially announced her candidacy for President of the United States.

Tornadoes strike Illinois

Several tornadoes were sighted in Illinois yesterday and overnight, with one causing extensive damage and killing one person in Rochelle.

Boston bomber and mom that salted her kid to death both convicted

Boston marathon co-bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been convicted on all 30 counts against him in court yesterday and now faces either life in prison or a death sentence. Meanwhile  Lacey Spears, a New York woman who chronicled her son's illness in her blog has been convicted of killing the child by putting lethal amounts of salt in his feeding tube. She was given a sentence of 20 years to life.

Jobs mismatch keeping unemployment steady as consumer delinquencies rise slightly

The lasted figures from the Labor department suggests that job mismatches continue to be a problem for the economy. Job openings are at their highest level in 14 years, but many are going unfilled as workers look to find jobs that better match their skills or income expectations. Meanwhile the American Bankers Association reported the delinquency rates for consumer loans ticked up slightly, another indication of a fragility in the workforce.

Duke wins national basketball title

Duke University won its fifth national title last night, beating Wisconsin 68-63 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The win marks the end of this years' NCAA mens' basketball season.

Father and 7 children die of carbon monoxide poisening

A Princess Ann Maryland man and his seven children have been found dead in their home due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Preliminary reports suggest Todd Edwards and the children died in the night after the father had placed a gas generator in the home--he'd done so because the power company had turned off his electricity due to an unpaid bill. The mother was not home at the time.

Price of oil goes up a dollar

The price for a barrel of oil went up one dollar yesterday after Saudi Arabia raised prices for crude oil sales to Asian markets. Also influencing oil prices was news of a nuclear deal with Iran which could mean an influx of oil from that country into the market in the next few months. It is not yet clear what impact the oil hike will have at the gas station.

Today is Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday, a celebration by Christians around the world, marking the day Christ appeared to the Apostles after being crucified.

Revenge porn site operator sentenced to 18 years

Twenty eight year old Kevin Bollaert was sentenced to 18 years in prison yesterday for his part in running a web site that posted pictures of women naked or engaging in sex acts. His lengthy sentence was due to his conviction on extortion charges stemming from his practice of demanding cash payments for removal of pictures from the site. The pictures were sent in by mostly men that were exes of the women in the pictures. It's still not clear if the practice of posting such pictures is illegal.

Report showed job growth slowed last month

A new report by TD Securities shows job growth slowed last month with the fewest number of new hires since this time last year. Some speculate that the slow growth can be attributed to the winter weather that disrupted much of the Midwest and Northeast.

Indiana governor signs amendment of controversial rights bill

Mike Pence, governor of Indiana has signed a revision to the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act--the new wording which is now law prohibits business from using the law to discriminate based on "sexual orientation" or "gender identity."

Deal reached in Iran nuclear program

Representatives from several countries negotiating with Iran have announced an agreement thought the exact details have not yet been revealed. As part of the deal, Iran will reportedly limit or slow its nuclear program in return for a lift of the embargo that has been hurting that countries economy.

California governor calls for unprecedented water conservation measures

California Governor Jerry Brown ordered water conservation measures throughout the state in light of the drought that has plagued many parts of western United States over the past several years. The governor has ordered cities, towns and other communities to reduce water consumption by 25 percent. All business and homes will be impacted with the lone exception being farm lands. The new rules were put in place after officials noted record low snowpack in the mountains this winter.

Russian fishing boat sinks - 54 dead

A Russian fishing trawler with 132 people aboard capsized due to drifting ice and possibly a large wave and sank yesterday. 54 people are known to have died and another 15 are still missing. The boat was traveling off the west coast of Russia in the Sea of Okhotsk, a part of the Pacific Ocean.

Deadline missed in Iran nuclear talks

Representatives from six nations negotiating with Iran failed to meet a deadline yesterday set to outline an accord regarding Iran's nuclear program. Several of the representatives expressed optimism that the accord will still be reached, and soon.

Amazon launches hardware button for on-demand ordering

Online retailer Amazon has begun offering customers a new way to order products--by pressing a physical hardware button that can be mounted anywhere within reach of a WiFi signal. One button is used to buy one product, such as laundry detergent Tide. Consumers can mount the button near the washing machine and when they are running low on detergent, they simply press the button and more Tide will show up in the mail.

U.S. promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 28%

Officials representing the United States in a planned worldwide treaty (informally called Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) announced that the U.S. would pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2020. The treaty is expected to be signed by participating countries this December. The White House has not officially commented yet.

Arab League Summit marks change in Mideast strategy

Members of  the Arab League met yesterday to discuss options for banding together to battle Iranian backed Shiite rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has already been bombing rebel conclaves in the country. The Summit marks a turning point for the Arab League as it has voted to act without input from the United States.

Thousands march in Indian to protest Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Thousands of people participated in an unplanned demonstration in Indianapolis yesterday demanding that the state repeal the newly passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act--it bars state and local governments from impinging on citizens rights to exercise their religious beliefs. Critics suggest it will allow businesses to refuse service to certain customers that don't align with their beliefs, most specifically homosexuals.

Italy's highest court overturns Amanda Knox conviction

Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation, made up of six judges has overturned the decision by a lower court that had overturned a conviction against American Amanda Knox. The decision by the court is final, which means that Knox will not have to face any more trials in the case, and can thus can go on with her life.

Government looking to add new rules to payday loans

The U.S. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau convened yesterday to discuss possible new rules for payday loans. The Bureau is not looking to outlaw them, or to set limits on interest rates, but instead is looking to add rules that force loaners to work harder to make sure that those receiving the loans are able to pay them back.

Tornado strike in the south

Tornados in Oklahoma and Arkansas caused damage and killed one person yesterday as part of a spate of nasty weather over the past few days, marking the beginning of Tornado season in the U.S.

Report suggests pilot was locked out of cockpit in Germanwing crash

The New York Times is claiming an unnamed source has confirmed to them that the pilot of the Germanwing plane that crashed in the Alps recently was locked out of the cockpit just prior to the crash and was banging on the door in an unsuccessful attempt to get back in.

President announces slowdown of troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

President Obama told reporters yesterday that he has decided to delay a planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan this year and will instead maintain a force of 9,800 soldiers in that country. He added that troop levels will be reduced next year as dictated by conditions on the ground.

NFL to drop blackout rule for 2015 season

The National Football League announced that it will suspend blacking out television broadcasts of its games when home games are not sellouts--a practice that has been in place since the 1950's--for the 2015 season as a test case.

CDC says 11 million uninsured now covered by Obamacare

The CDC has announced that over 11 million more people now have health insurance in the U.S. due solely to coverage under the Affordable Care Act compared to 2010. The report also points out that there are still approximately 37 million people in this country that are uninsured.

Sen Ted Cruz announces his candidicy for President

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has announced via Twitter that he is running for president of the United States in the 2016 election. He wrote simply "I'm running for President, and I hope to earn your support." He is the first person of either party to officially announce his candidacy.

ISIS post names, photos and home address of US troops

The Islamic group ISIS has posted personal information about U.S. soldiers on the Internet along with a message urging supporters to use the information to target them with attacks. Officials with the U.S. military reported that they are looking into the report.

Grandmother convicted of running granddaughter to death facing death penalty

Joyce Hardin Gerrard, was convicted last Friday of murder in the death of her 9 year old granddaughter and now faces either a life sentence or the death penalty. She was accused of making the young girl run so hard for so long that the child had a seizure and died. A trial will be conducted to ascertain her fate-no date for it has been set.

TSA agent shoots machete wielding man at New Orleans Airport

A man wielding a machete and a can of wasp killer was shot three times at New Orleans International Airport after swinging the machete at people. The man, Richard White, was taken to a local hospital.

Home mortgage rates tumble

After bouncing up and down for several weeks, mortgage rates have taken a tumble, Freddie Mac reports that the average 30 year fixed rate fell to 3.78 this week.

Man arrested following shooting rampage in Pheonix

Ryan Giroux, an ex-convict, has been arrested for a string of shootings that occurred in the Phoenix area yesterday. Police say the suspect's activities included shooting people at a motel, a carjacking and a home invasion. All told six people where shot and one died.

Kraft recalls Macaroni and Cheese

Food giant Kraft has issued a recall for boxes of Macaroni and Cheese. Stainless steel fragments somehow made their way into some of the packages. The recall is for "Best when used by” date of Sept. 18, 2015 through Oct. 11, 2015, with the code “C2” above the date.

Automatic voter registration begins in Oregon

Oregon governor Kate Brown signed a bill that puts the onus of voter registration on the state rather than voters. The process will be carried out by automatically registering people to vote when they interact with the state's Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division.

Today is St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day, where all things Irish are celebrated and green becomes the color to wear.