Fort Hood victims to be awarded Purple Hearts
The Army will also award the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart, the Defense of Freedom Medal, to non-military victims. “The Purple Heart’s strict eligibility criteria had prevented us from…
Author: CNN
Even in age of reality TV, public gender transitions still uncommon
Who can blame him? Though the mainstream is increasingly aware of the various ways some people are modifying their gender presentations — even in our Instagrammed, reality-show age — it…
Rep. Alan Nunnelee dead at 56
The Republican congressman from Mississippi was 56-years-old and died after a battle with brain cancer. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in the spring. – CNN’s Jeremy Diamond…
Flu epidemic seems to be slowing, but 8 more children have died
The data comes from the week ending January 31 based on pneumonia and influenza mortality surveillance, the season is still above epidemic levels, as is typical during flu season. –…
After talks falter, Houthi rebels assert political control of Yemen
This all follows last month’s resignations of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi and other officials after Houthis moved into the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The chaos in Yemen has far-reaching implications…
How bad is measles around the world?
The United States is grappling with the resurgence of a disease it eliminated 15 years ago. But it’s not alone. Data by the World Health Organization indicate that measles immunization…
Russians, hackers cited as threats in new Obama National Security Strategy Document
“Violent extremism and an evolving terrorist threat raise a persistent risk of attacks on America and our allies,” Obama writes in the report’s introduction. “Escalating challenges to cybersecurity, aggression by…
Morocco banned from 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Its officials had called for the tournament to be delayed as concerns over the potential spread of the virus grew, and then declined to host it when that delay was…
Obama meets boy who inspired $1 million fundraiser
That’s how Chastanet, 13, ended up at the White House on Thursday. The young man; his inspirational principal, Nadia Lopez; and “Humans of New York” creator Brandon Stanton all got…
This week in politics: Hand-washing, vaccines and ‘Downton Abbey’
Things have gotten worse in Ukraine and the U.S. is considering providing assistance to the military. News broke that ISIS had burned a Jordanian pilot alive, renewing questions about President…
First on CNN: DNC expanding communications team for 2016
The DNC has hired Holly Shulman, who formerly served as spokeswoman for international affairs at the Treasury Department, as its new national press secretary, per a committee release. She worked…
New Grammy ad #LeftSwipeDat tackles teen smoking
Just the other day, en route to school, my husband and daughters ended up walking behind a smoker on the street. The three of them immediately talked about how “gross”…
The woman both Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have kissed
“But here’s a little-known fact: there’s one person in the world that both Ashton and I have kissed, and that’s Natalie Portman,” said Kunis, who was promoting her new film,…
Does terrorism ever work?
If terrorism is a form of theater where you want a lot of people watching, no event in human history was likely ever seen by a larger global audience than…
North Korea issues new threat to U.S. bases
Angered by tougher U.N. sanctions and joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea, Pyongyang has issued a range of bombastic threats in recent weeks. North Korea’s threats:…
Tribunal censures UK over US surveillance data sharing
The tribunal’s ruling was in response to a complaint brought by civil liberties campaign group Liberty, among others, in the wake of claims by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden about…
My country’s problem with menstruation
At that age, getting a monthly visit from a certain bloody friend was relatively uncommon. The boys were kept in the dark and my friends and I talked about it…
Obama takes fire for Crusades comparison
“Today’s remarks by the President were inappropriate and his choice of venue was insulting to every person of faith at a time when Christians are being crucified, beheaded, and persecuted…
10 ways to boost chances of a surviving plane crash
Some of those who lived through Wednesday’s crash credited their survival to seat belts and seating choices, yet much of surviving a disaster is pure chance. Remarkable stories of plane…
Terror trainee who faked his death sentenced to 12 years, police say
Khawaja, 27, was sentenced Friday in Woolwich Crown Court to 12 years in prison, having pleaded guilty to preparing acts of terrorism and other terror-related charges, London’s Metropolitan Police said….
The 13th Juror: Watching Dzhokhar Tsarnaev for clues
“Get your hair out of your face.” “Stop fidgeting.” “Can’t you smile once in a while?” At a time when Tsarnaev should be making a good first impression on the…
Who’s to blame for the Anthem hack?
It landed in my inbox at 1:58 a.m. on Thursday. “To Our Members: Safeguarding your personal, financial and medical information is one of our top priorities, and because of that,…
German Bundesliga: Is Borussia Dortmund too good to go down?
The Champions League final against domestic rival Bayern Munich at Wembley on May 25, 2013 didn’t quite go to plan, but for a team that had won back-to-back German Bundesliga…
Africa Cup of Nations: A few good men stand up to be counted in ‘war zone’
Read: Violence mars Ghana’s AFCON semifinal victory Above a helicopter hovered over the Estadio de Malabo, the venue of Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinal between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana….
Beyonce, Taylor Swift, U2 among big Grammy nominees
The last one came with album of the year. Beyonce’s self-titled release of late 2013 made the list, along with Beck’s “Morning Phase,” Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour,” Pharrell’s…
Fiorina: ‘Looking more likely’ I’ll run for president
“Of course people don’t know me and they need to get to know me,” Fiorina said. “Do we need to raise money? Yes. Do we need to raise as much…
Pope says it’s OK to spank children if you don’t demean them
“I once heard at a wedding a father say, ‘I sometimes have to hit my children a little but never in the face, so as to not demean them.’ How…
Why no Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue of men?
The ultra-revealing cover shows Davis pulling down her already-minuscule bikini bottoms to within a millimeter of an area typically reserved for intimate partners and gynecologists. She’s been waxed, it is…
Will Smith helps Jimmy Fallon remain king of trending
On Thursday night, Fallon and Will Smith covered the 1988 song “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, using an iPad app. And it was awesome. The…
Struggling Tiger Woods withdraws from tournament with back problems
A 14-times major tournament winner, Woods pulled out of the San Diego event when back spasms became such a problem that playing partner Billy Horschel had to pick up his…