The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) has hired more than 1,600 new employees in the aftermath of Obamacare’s passage. The new employees include just two described as “consumer safety” officers, but 86 tasked with “criminal investigating” – indicating that the agency is building an army of detectives to sleuth out violations of… Continue reading HHS hires criminal investigators to target consumers and companies that don’t follow Obamacare’s rules
Category: Front Page
Front Page news
Robert Mugabe sworn in for seventh term as Zimbabwe’s president
Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a seventh term in office as the country’s president. Thursday has been declared a public holiday to allow supporters of Robert Mugabe, 89, to attend the inauguration. The ceremony had been delayed by a court petition filed by his main rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, over allegations of widespread… Continue reading Robert Mugabe sworn in for seventh term as Zimbabwe’s president
NSA gathered up to 56,000 personal emails between people with no links to terror suspects
Declassified court documents show a NSA surveillance system illegally gathered up to 56,000 personal emails by Americans with no links to terror suspects annually. Officials revealed that a judge in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruled the programme illegal in 2011. The US government faces mounting criticism over its surveillance operations after the leaks of… Continue reading NSA gathered up to 56,000 personal emails between people with no links to terror suspects
Bo Xilai goes on trial in China
Chinese politician Bo Xilai has gone on trial on charges of bribery, corruption and abuse of power. The former Chongqing Communist Party leader once tipped for the highest office is accused of accepting money from two businessmen, the court said. Bo Xilai has so far denied one charge. The abuse of power charge relates to… Continue reading Bo Xilai goes on trial in China
Watergate: Tapes reveal Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush called Richard Nixon in support
Newly released tapes show two future US presidents called Richard Nixon in support after he gave a speech on the Watergate scandal amid a staff exodus. Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush attempted to boost Richard Nixon as he denied any knowledge of the infamous break-in at his political rivals’ offices. The calls are… Continue reading Watergate: Tapes reveal Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush called Richard Nixon in support
Fed minutes reveal clues of tampering timeline
Minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting revealed few clues about the central bank’s timeline for unwinding its extraordinary efforts to support the US economy. Officials said they were “broadly comfortable” with plans to scale back the Fed’s $85 billion a month bond-buying programme. However, the timing remains murky. Almost all agreed a change in… Continue reading Fed minutes reveal clues of tampering timeline
Bradley Manning sentenced to 35 years in WikiLeaks case
Bradley Manning, the US soldier convicted of handing a trove of secret government documents to anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. Pte First Class Bradley Manning, 25, was convicted in July of 20 charges against him, including espionage. Last week, he apologized for hurting the US and for “the unexpected… Continue reading Bradley Manning sentenced to 35 years in WikiLeaks case
Syria: Chemical weapons attacks kill hundreds in Damascus outskirts
Hundreds of Syrians have been killed early this morning on the outskirts of Damascus following chemical weapons attacks, Syrian opposition activists say. Rockets with toxic agents were launched at the suburbs of the Ghouta region early on Wednesday as part of a major bombardment on rebel forces, they say. The Syrian army says the accusations… Continue reading Syria: Chemical weapons attacks kill hundreds in Damascus outskirts
Pink Panther jewel thief arrested in France
A suspected member of the Pink Panthers gang of jewel thieves has been arrested in southern France. The man has not been named but is said to be in his 40s, of Montenegrin origin. He apparently escaped earlier this year from a Swiss prison. French police said he was arrested at his home in Montpellier,… Continue reading Pink Panther jewel thief arrested in France
EDT: Greece launches new public television after ERT closure
Greece’s new public television, EDT, has begun broadcasting news, more than two months after the government shut down the previous state broadcaster, ERT. ERT’s 2,700 workers were all sacked in June, but carried on making shows for web streaming and satellite relay. Greece’s conservative-led coalition said ERT cost too much in an economic crisis. A… Continue reading EDT: Greece launches new public television after ERT closure
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shot through face, legs and left hand before his capture
Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was shot through the face, legs and left hand before his capture, according to newly unsealed court documents. Despite his injuries, Dhozkhar Tsarnaev was able to “respond vocally” to questioning, Dr. Stephen Odom said several days after the bombings. The twin bombs at the finishing line of the Boston Marathon… Continue reading Dzhokhar Tsarnaev shot through face, legs and left hand before his capture
Angela Merkel becomes first German chancellor to visit Dachau camp
Angela Merkel has laid a wreath at the former Nazi concentration camp of Dachau, in the first such visit to the site by a German chancellor. Angela Merkel made a short, emotional speech saying the camp “fills me with deep sadness and shame” and said it was a warning of the dangers of indifference. The… Continue reading Angela Merkel becomes first German chancellor to visit Dachau camp
Indian rupee hits new all-time record low against US dollar
The Indian rupee has hit a new all-time record low against the US dollar, amid concerns the Federal Reserve will soon scale back its stimulus measures. It dropped to 64.13 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday. Foreign investors have been pulling money out of India, as the economy has slowed and the… Continue reading Indian rupee hits new all-time record low against US dollar
World Cup 2014 tickets go on sale
Tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil went on sale today, with fans able to apply on FIFA’s website. FIFA is expecting a similar demand to Germany 2006, when there were about seven applicants for every ticket of the 64-match tournament. Around 3.3 million tickets will be available for the tournament. Tickets will range… Continue reading World Cup 2014 tickets go on sale
Pervez Musharraf indicted over Benazir Bhutto’s assassination
Pervez Musharraf has been indicted in Pakistan on three charges over the 2007 assassination of opposition leader and former PM Benazir Bhutto. Prosecutors said the Pakistani ex-President was charged with murder, criminal conspiracy to murder and facilitation of murder. Pervez Musharraf made no public remarks at the hearing but denies the charges. The case was… Continue reading Pervez Musharraf indicted over Benazir Bhutto’s assassination
Switzerland blocks North Korea ski lift deal
Switzerland has decided to block a deal to sell ski lifts to North Korea in the latest setback for leader Kim Jong-un’s pet ski resort project. The Swiss government cited expanded sanctions on luxury exports to North Korea. Heavy rains and landslides have already delayed the project, viewed as a response to South Korea hosting… Continue reading Switzerland blocks North Korea ski lift deal
Abubakar Shekau: Nigeria’s Boko Haram leader may be dead
Nigerian Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau may have been killed by the security forces during a shoot-out, an army spokesman has said. An “intelligence report” showed that Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram group, may have died between July 25 and August 3, Lt-Col Sagir Musa said. Boko Haram, which has waged an… Continue reading Abubakar Shekau: Nigeria’s Boko Haram leader may be dead
SADC leaders call for EU and US to lift Zimbabwe sanctions after endorsing Robert Mugabe’s win
Southern African Development Community leaders have called for the European Union and US to lift all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe after endorsing President Robert Mugabe’s win in disputed elections last month. Malawian President Joyce Banda said Zimbabweans had “suffered enough”. The EU and US imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2002 after accusing Robert Mugabe of… Continue reading SADC leaders call for EU and US to lift Zimbabwe sanctions after endorsing Robert Mugabe’s win
Egypt: At least 24 policemen killed in ambush attack in Sinai peninsula
At least 24 Egyptian policemen have been killed in an ambush attack in the Sinai peninsula. Medical sources and officials said the police were in two buses which came under attack from armed men close to the town of Rafah on the Gaza border. Three policemen were also reported to have been injured in the… Continue reading Egypt: At least 24 policemen killed in ambush attack in Sinai peninsula
Oscar Pistorius murder trial set for March 2014
The prosecutor in Oscar Pistorius case said the dates of 3 to 20 March had been mutually agreed for the trial at a hearing at Pretoria magistrates’ court. South African athlete Oscar Pistorius is accused of premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The prosecution handed a copy of the indictment to Oscar Pistorius. Oscar… Continue reading Oscar Pistorius murder trial set for March 2014
South Korea and US begin joint military drills
South Korea and the United States have begun a new round of joint military exercises on Monday, officials say, the second round to take place this year. Thousands of soldiers are taking part in computer-aided drills designed to test defense capabilities. South Korea says that North Korea, which was angered by the previous drill, was… Continue reading South Korea and US begin joint military drills
World Championships 2013: Usain Bolt becomes most successful athlete in history
Usain Bolt guided the Jamaican team to victory in the sprint relay in Moscow to become the most successful athlete in the history of the World Championships. Usain Bolt, 26, added 4×100 m gold to his 100m and 200m triumphs and now has a total of eight golds and two silvers. Carl Lewis and Allyson… Continue reading World Championships 2013: Usain Bolt becomes most successful athlete in history
Syrian refugees flood Iraqi Kurdistan
Thousands of Syrian refugees are pouring over the border into Iraqi Kurdistan, the UN refugee agency says. Up to 10,000 crossed at Peshkhabour on Saturday, adding to an earlier influx of 7,000 on Thursday. The UN agencies, the Kurdish regional government and NGOs are struggling to cope, correspondents say. The UN says the reasons are… Continue reading Syrian refugees flood Iraqi Kurdistan
North Korea agrees to South Korea’s proposal to resume family reunions
North Korea has agreed to South Korea’s proposal to resume reunions of families separated since the 1950-1953 war, official media in Pyongyang say. The reunion meetings would take place in the Chuseok holiday on September 19. South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye called last week for the resumption of the reunions, last held in 2010. Her… Continue reading North Korea agrees to South Korea’s proposal to resume family reunions
Bo Xilai to go on trial for bribery, corruption and abuse of power on August 22
Chinese politician Bo Xilai will go on trial on Thursday, August 22, being charged with bribery, corruption and abuse of power, according to state media. Bo Xilai, formerly the Communist Party chief of Chongqing, was expelled from the party after a scandal surrounding the murder of a British businessman. His wife Gu Kailai was jailed… Continue reading Bo Xilai to go on trial for bribery, corruption and abuse of power on August 22