Popular internet sites to protest for net neutrality The FCC is proposing new laws to regulate internet providers. Most recent laws allow providers to create “fast lanes.” This means if you want your site to load fast, you pay more. Big sites can afford this. Smaller sites cannot. Reddit, Netflix, Imgur, and other large sites are protesting. On September 10, …
Independent Scotland
Scotland may vote to leave UK next week In 1707, Scotland and England joined to create Great Britain. In 2011, the Scottish National Party gained outright majority. The SNP promised to hold a vote on independence. That vote happens on September 18. Polls show a statistical tie with 51% favoring independence. If passed, it would be formally enacted in 2016. …
Unresponsive Plane
Private plane crashes in Jamaica A small private plane left from New York heading to Florida. The pilot was unresponsive to air traffic controllers. Two F-15s were scrambled to follow the plane. The pilot was unconscious and the windows frosted over. The plane continued towards Cuban airspace. The plane crashed into the waters around Jamaica. It is believed all onboard …
Virginia Gov. Guilty
Gov. McDonnell convicted by jury McDonnell and his wife were indicted in Jan. ‘14. They pleaded not guilty to fraud and other charges. They accepted $140k in gifts from a businessman. McDonnell promoted the business using his power as Gov. A jury convicted McDonnell of 11 counts and his wife of 9. Sentencing is in Jan ‘15. McDonnell is expected …
Justin Ross Harris Indicted
Father who left son in hot car has been indicted In June, Harris left his 2-year-old son in a hot car all day. Harris went to his car at lunch to put something in it. After work, he got in his car and found his son was dead. Before this, Harris searched for info on hot car deaths. He also …
Death Row Inmates Freed
DNA test proves 2 brothers not guilty 2 mentally disabled teenagers were arrested in 1983. They were convicted of raping and killing a young girl. Both received 3 trials. Both confessed to the crime. Their lawyers said the confessions were coerced. Both were sentenced to death in North Carolina. 31 years later, DNA evidence implicates someone else. The guilty party …
Autism and Vaccine Study
New study contradicts CDC. Debate continues. The link between autism and vaccines began in 1998. That now-retracted study by Dr. Wakefield was a fraud. In ‘04, the Center for Disease Control conducted a study. The ‘04 study showed no link between vaccines and autism. A new study was published in August, 2014 using CDC data. Study says more risk for …
1,000 Russian Troops
Fighting in Eastern Ukraine intensifies Ukrainian forces have been battling Pro-Russian rebels. The rebels have weapons and vehicles from Russia. The US now says that 1,000 Russian troops are in Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations. NATO claims to have satellite images of troop movement. Fighting intensified on Thursday on two fronts. Russian troops captured towns in Southeastern Ukraine.
Big News Round-Up
Syria, a fishing boat, and Ebola Syria Syria’s civil war is threatening to spill into other countries. Islamists (not ISIS) seized the border crossing into Israel. U.S. Coast Guard Coast Guard fired a warning shot at an Iranian fishing boat. The fishing boat then left. Occurred in the Persian Gulf. West African Ebola Outbreak The CDC says the outbreak is …
UPDATE: Veterans Affairs Hospital Scandal
Inspector General says wait list didn’t cause deaths VA officials in Phoenix created a secret wait list for veterans. The list made it look like there wasn’t a long wait for care. Some veterans waited months or years to get care. 40 veterans may have died as a result of the list. A national investigation was launched. The Inspector General’s …