UK Drug Czar Warns That Alcohol Is More Dangerous That Ecstasy
October 30, 2009
UK (ChattahBox) – An official for the British government has released a statement saying that the priority of drug dangers should be changed, putting alcohol and cigarettes ahead of ecstasy, LSD, and other drugs.
Russia claims design for spaceship with nuclear engine for trip to Mars
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — The Russian Federal Space Agency supposedly hopes to have, Russian cosmonauts flying a nuclear-powered spacecraft to the planet Mars as early as 2021. Russian engineers say they have a breakthrough design for such a manned spacecraft that can cover vast interplanetary distances according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti. Read more
Sen. Harkin: Lieberman Keeps Chairmanship at Democrats’ ‘Indulgence’
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee issued a not too subtle warning to Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (ID-CT) latest antics, threatening to side with the Republicans to filibuster health care reform. Harkin essentially warned that Lieberman retains his position, as chairman of the Homeland Security committee, because of the Democrats’ good graces and it could just as easily be snatched away. Read more
Madoff’s Accountant to Plead Guilty – $534m Paid out to His Victims So Far
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — Bernard Madoff’s longtime accountant and auditor is expected to plead guilty to fraud charges next week, in a deal with federal prosecutors. Friehling was originally arrested in March. He is accused of falsely certifying Madoff’s books and has been charged with seven counts, including securities fraud and false filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Friehling’s “deception helped foster the illusion that Mr. Madoff legitimately invested his client’s money,” according to prosecutors. The more serious counts carriy a maximum sentence of 20 years and fines of up to $5 million, so Friehling, 49, could face up over a 100 years in prison, though substantial cooperation with prosecutors can result in leniency. Still it should leave him plenty of time to cool his heals with Madoff, who is serving a 150-year sentence at a prison in North Carolina. Read more
Has A Man Managed To Find Ansel Treasures In Garage Sale Purchase?
October 30, 2009
U.S. (ChattahBox) – After purchasing a number of photograph negatives from a garage sale, a man is claiming that they may have belonged to Ansel Adams, the famous photographer who is well known for his scenic photos of famous landmarks.
Jon Stewart Taking Heat for Pro-Palestinian Guests
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—Some Pro-Israeli groups are apparently in an uproar over Jon Stewart’s decision to host two pro-Palestinian guests on his show Wednesday night, to discuss the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Stewart was criticized for allowing the guests to engage in Israel bashing, but others are praising Stewart for providing a forum for the dialogue to end the conflict by peaceful means. Read more
Man Who Claims To Be 112 Marries 17-Year-Old
October 30, 2009
Somalia (ChattahBox) – A Somali man who claims to be 112 has married a 17-year-old girl in the first wedding of it’s kind for the region in more than a century.
House Staffer Leaks Ethics Report to WaPo: More Than 30 Under Inquiry
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox)—Last evening in the House chamber, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee stepped up to speak, interrupting House voting, to make a startling announcement. Lofgren said that the Washington Post had obtained a confidential ethics report and the newspaper had been contacting lawmakers named in the document. She described the release of the sensitive document, as a form of hacking. And Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL), the committee’s ranking Republican, called the breach an isolated incident.
According to a piece in the Washington Post this morning, it’s now known that a junior staffer taking work home, inadvertently placed the document on a file-sharing network. A different low level staffer found the sensitive report and made it available to the Washington Post. The junior staffer has been fired. No word is available on the employment status of the low level staffer that leaked the document. Read more
Dennis Hopper Battling Prostate Cancer
October 30, 2009
Easy Rider star Dennis Hopper has prostate cancer, according to his manager, and is canceling all forthcoming appearances for the time being to focus on treatment. Hopper, 73, is being treated through a “special program” at the University of Southern California, and his manager would not discuss his prognosis except to say “we’re hoping for the best.” Read more
Honduras Reaches Deal With Ousted President
October 30, 2009
(ChattahBox) — After months of pressure from other countries, ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and de facto Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti reached an agreement late Thursday to end the country’s political crisis. The deal would create a power-sharing arrangement with a mutually recognized November 29 election. The apparent breakthrough followed pressure from senior U.S. officials who are in Honduras. Read more