Top News Stories - April 2009:
WHO Raises Its Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 4
The swine flu virus is spreading from human to human in community outbreaks, causing the World Health Organization to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 4. -- swine flu pandemic alert news
EU Health Commissioner Advises Against Travel to the U.S and Mexico
EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said: "they should avoid traveling to Mexico or the United States unless it's very urgent for them." -- EU travel warning
Obama's National Intelligence Director: Interrogation Methods Helped Nation Fight Terrorists
"High value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al Qa'ida organization that was attacking this country," Admiral Dennis C. Blair, the intelligence director, wrote to his staff last Thursday. Michael V. Hayden, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency under George W. Bush said "the use of these techniques against these terrorists made us safer. It really did work." Former Vice President Dick Cheney has also been outspoken on the success of interrogating terrorists. Despite the likelihood of the techniques keeping Americans safe, Barack Obama believes they are illegal torture. Obama is also open to prosecuting interrogators who used the techniques while George W. Bush was President. -- more on Obama torture memo controversy
The Sun is the Dimmest it has been for Nearly a Century
No sunspots and few solar flares have astronomers baffled about the amazingly quiet sun. It is unclear how this will affect global temperatures, but in the mid-17th Century a similar quiet spell lasted 70 years, and led to a mini ice-age. -- more on the quiet sun
Jackie Chan Spokesman Claims Chan's Controversial Comments Taken out of Context
"Some people with ulterior motives deliberately misinterpreted what he was saying," said Jackie Chan spokesman Solon So. Chan had previously said: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want." -- more on the controversial comments
Barack Obama Changes His Mind on Prosecuting Interrogators
Barack Obama said that bringing charges against those involved in interrogations under George W. Bush "is going to be more of a decision for the attorney general within the parameters of various laws and I don't want to prejudge that." -- Obama's about face on prosecutions
Delegates Walk Out at UN Conference after Iran President Calls Israel Racist
About 20 delegates walked out of a UN conference after Iran President Ahmadinejad called Israel racist. Nine countries including Israel and the United States had already decided to boycott the conference. Ahmadinejad was heckled repeatedly during the UN gathering. -- delegate walkout
Israel Military Preparing Massive Assault on Iran
Fearing they don't have a friend in Barack Obama, the Israeli military is preparing itself to launch a massive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. -- Israel readies to stop Iran
Top U.S. Counter-Intelligence Official: China Can Cause Serious Damage to the U.S. at Any Time
Chinese cyber spies have penetrated so deep into the U.S. system that it can cause serious damage to the U.S. any time, according to a top counter-intelligence official. It appears China has penetrated such things as the U.S. secure defence network, banking system, electrical grid, defence planes, traffic control and water supply systems. The counter-intelligence official said "America's networks are being mapped." -- China cyber spy penetration
Former Top U.S. Official: Obama Publication of CIA Memos Does Grave Damage to Our National Security
Barack Obama releasing memos about CIA interrogation techniques has shocked many, including a top former U.S. official. -- memos release controversy
CNN and MSNBC Use Tea Party Protests to Educate America on Gay Slang
CNN an MSNBC's disdain for tea party protests caused a strange meltdown by anchors of the news outlets. They used the occasion to make very raw remarks and jokes about teabagging, which is popular slang amongst the gay community. Anderson Cooper led the way by making comments that were once unthinkable on any form of prime-time television show. The remarks not only educated many on the gay slang, it also made the news anchors the brunt of many jokes for their surprising expert knowledge of teabagging. -- news anchors remarks
Georgetown University Asked to Hide Jesus Symbol for Barack Obama Speech
The White House asked Georgetown University to cover up a symbol representing Jesus before a speech by President Barack Obama -- missing Jesus
Barack Obama Releases Memos on Interrogation Techniques - Vows Not to Prosecute CIA Officials
Obama statement on the release of interrogation memos.
Texas Governor Rick Perry's Tea Party Warning to the Government
Texas Governor Rick Perry said: "There's a lot of different scenarios. We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. -- Rick Perry's remarks
Somali Pirates Thumb Noses at Barack Obama - Take 60 More Hostages
The Somali pirates have not been intimidated by Barack Obama as they hijacked four more ships and held 60 more people hostage in just a 24 hour period. -- Somali pirates challenge Obama
Israeli President: We'll Strike Him(Ahmadinejad)
Israeli President Shimon Peres warned that Israel would strike Iran if talks with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad didn't change his approach. -- Israeli President's warning
Pope: Rise of Aggressive Secularism in Western Societies Risks Drifting into a Desert of Godlessness
Pope Benedict XVI said: "Values and norms that held societies together and drew people to higher ideals are laughed at and thrown overboard. Jesus continues to be ridiculed." -- more on the Pope's Good Friday address
Animal Rights Activists Make Life Miserable for Joe Biden's Puppy Breeder
Linda Brown, the breeder of Joe Biden's puppy has been investigated and had her life threatened since selling the Vice President his German Shepard. Animal activists have been angry at her because Biden chose a breeder over an animal shelter. PETA ran a commercial "Buy One, Get One Killed" right after the Biden dog story made the news. -- dog breeder's nightmare
Rep. Spencer Bachus: 17 Members of the U.S. House are Socialists
U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus said: "Some of the men and women I work with in Congress are socialists." He later added that 17 members of the U.S. House are socialists. -- Birmingham News story
George W. Bush Aides: Joe Biden Lied about His Admonishment of the Former President
Neither George W. Bush nor his aides have any recollection of Joe Biden's claims that he admonished the former President on a number of occasions. "I never recall Biden saying any of that," former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said. "I find it odd that he said he met with him alone all the time. I don't think that's true." Karl Rove said: "I remember checking on such a Biden exaggeration while at the White House and no one witnessed the meeting and his comments in remotely the same way." Candida P. Wolff, George W. Bush's White House liaison to Capitol Hill said: "the president would never sit through two hours of Joe Biden. I don't ever remember Biden being in the Oval. He was such a blowhard on all that stuff - there wasn't a reason to bring him in." -- more on Biden's disputed memory
Spies from China and Russia Penetrated the U.S. Electrical Grid
Cyberspies from China and Russia have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid, leaving behind software programs that could disrupt the system at a future time, according to current and former national security officials. The purpose appears to be to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls and possibly try to bring down the electrical grid during a crisis or war. It is unclear whether such threats will change Barack Obama's mind on military downsizing and what will be done to protect America from such attacks. Officials said water, sewage and other infrastructure systems are also at risk. -- espionage at U.S. power companies
Muammar Qaddafi Fears Barack Obama Assassination
Muammar Qaddafi(Gaddafi), the man 'Time Magazine' once said was obsessed by a ruthless, messianic vision, says he fears Barack Obama may be assassinated. "I fear that they could liquidate this young man or force him to submit to their imperialist policies," Qaddafi said. The Libyan leader and infamous terrorist did not say specifically who would assassinate Obama, but instead heaped praise upon him. Qaddafi fell off the world stage for a long time after Ronald Reagan ordered F-111 bombers to visit his military headquarters back in 1986. -- the madman's warning
Italian Scientist who Predicted the Major Earthquake was Forced to Remove His Findings from the Internet
Gioacchino Giuliani predicted a large earthquake for Italy weeks before the quake hit, but was forced to remove his findings from the Internet after he was reported to the police for "spreading alarm." Giuliani had based his prediction on concentrations of radon gas around the seismically active areas. -- Scientist's earthquake story
Barack Obama: North Korea Broke the Rules Once Again
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the failed rocket launch by North Korea. "This provocation underscores the need for action - not just this afternoon at the U.N. Security Council - but in our determination to prevent the spread of these weapons. Rules must be binding - violations must be punished. Words must mean something," Obama said. It is unclear what new action Barack Obama intends to take to stop the actions of rogue nations such as North Korea. --- more on the North Korea missile launch
George Soros: U.S. Dollar may Eventually be Replaced as a World Reserve Currency
"Being the main issuer of international currency, we have been exempt and we have abused that because we have effectively consumed 6.5 percent more than we have produced. That is now coming to an end," George Soros said. -- controversial George Soros remarks
Newt Gingrich: I Would've Disabled North Korea's Missile
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he would have disabled North Korea's missile before it was launched. Gingrich said, "One morning, just like 9/11, there's going to be a disaster. I have yet to see the United Nations do anything effective with either Iran or North Korea." -- Newt Gingrich comments
Texas State District Judge Manuel Barraza Indicted on Federal Charges
The indictment against State District Judge Manuel Barraza alleges the judge took cash bribes and asked for sex from defendants in exchange for his help. -- prosecutor promises to review about 100 cases
Pittsburgh Cop Killer Feared Barack Obama's Policies
The troubled Pittsburgh cop killer feared Barack Obama's policies would take away gun rights and leave Americans unable to protect themselves in tough economic times. -- Pittsburgh ambush
U.S. Unemployment Rate Would be 15.6% if it Included Those who Stopped Looking
The U.S. unemployment rate soared to 8.5 percent last month, the highest in a quarter-century. Employers cut 663,000 more workers as the jobless grew to over 13 million. More troubling for Barack Obama and the U.S. economy is that the unemployment number would be 15.6% if those who stopped looking or settled for part-time jobs were included in the numbers. --- more on the job woes
Iowa Court Goes After Traditional Marriage and the Will of the People
In what is considered a blow to traditional marriage, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that gays have the right to traditional institution of marriage. Iowa Governor Chet Culver promises a full review of the ruling. Many citizens are angered by such rulings, which go against the will of the people. --- gay marriage story
Senate Rejects Cap and Trade Bill
26 Democrats joined Republicans in blocking use of the reconciliation loophole to push through the controversial cap and trade bill. --- more on the energy tax bill
Neighborhod Watch Swarms and Kicks Out Google Street Camera Car
Angered by Google's invasion of privacy and giving potential tools to criminals, Buckinghamshire village residents rose up and gave Google's street view camera car the boot. --- more on citizens revolt against Google
MRP Chairman: ACORN Voter Registration Fraud Continues in Missouri
David Cole, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party said "since Robin Carnahan became Secretary of State, the number of cases of voter registration fraud in Missouri has exploded. Her job is to ensure fair elections, yet she has resisted every proposed reform that seeks to prevent voter fraud. It is absolutely inexcusable." -- MRP Chairman's ACORN release
Government Corruption by Prosecutors to be Investigated in Former Senator Ted Stevens Case
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has decided to drop the case against former Senator Ted Stevens because of the actions of prosecutors. Stevens had been convicted on seven counts and lost his Senate seat just days later. He had been the longest serving Republican in the Senate. --- Eric Holder's statement...