Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Fast food workers stage strike, demanding $15-per-hour pay
Thousands of fast food restaurant employees around the nation have staged a strike, demanding to be paid a minimum of $15 per hour. Published July 30, 2013
White House presses for team of ‘nudge’ experts to sway American behavior
The White House has kicked off several federal projects aimed at influencing how Americans react to certain policy reforms, going so far as to solicit behavior experts to join a British-style "Behavioral Insights Team" to help nudge voters into accepting key political programs. Published July 30, 2013
Saudi Arabia accused of giving Egypt $1B to oust Morsi
A Saudi Arabian activist said his government provided Egypt's military with $1 billion to stage a coup against former president Mohammed Morsi and install interim leadership. Published July 30, 2013
U.S. extends olive branch to Taliban, releases 5 Gitmo detainees: Report
The United States released five inmates at Guantanamo Bay recently — a quiet attempt at jump-starting peace talks with members of the Taliban, an Israeli news outlet reported. Published July 30, 2013
San Diego press admits: We knew ‘what Bob Filner is’ but did nothing
At least one reporter in San Diego said members of the media have been fully aware of the sexual harassment allegations circling Mayor Bob Filner for some time — but chose to ignore it in their reports. Published July 30, 2013
Kevin Spacey: Actor says Americans don’t appreciate Obama’s greatness
Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey — whose most recent work includes the psychological thriller, "House of Cards," about an unethical congressman — said in a recent interview that most Americans just aren't grasping President Obama's greatness. Published July 30, 2013
Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas vows not one Israeli ‘on our lands’
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said to a group of reporters in Egypt on Tuesday that any peace plan with Israel would have to include this concession: Israelis would be forever banned from Palestinian properties. Published July 30, 2013
Saudi court sends activist to 7 years in jail, with 600 lashes
A Saudi court on Monday sentenced a human rights activist to jail and to hundreds of lashes for creating what judges deemed a "liberal" network and for insulting Islam. Published July 30, 2013
‘Dream Defenders’ dig in at Florida Capitol, demand justice for Trayvon Martin
A core group of about 15 "Dream Defenders" — so-dubbed for their stated belief in the need for legislative justice for slain 17-year-old Trayvon Martin — have dug in Tuesday outside the Florida Capitol building, refusing to leave until lawmakers pass a bill to moot the state's "stand your ground" gun laws. Published July 30, 2013
Arkansas teachers to carry 9 mm guns on campus come fall
Teachers and staff at Clarksville High School in Arkansas have undergone 53 hours of intensive weapons training in recent weeks, and they stand ready for school doors to open this fall — locked and loaded, ready to fend off the type of disaster that rocked a Connecticut community in December and left 20 children dead. Published July 30, 2013
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner wants city dollars for sexual harassment defense
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, the Democrat facing fire from at least seven women who've come forward and accused him of sexual harassment, said in a letter to the city that taxpayers should rightly pick up the costs for his legal defense. Published July 30, 2013
Eliot Spitzer on Anthony Weiner: I wouldn’t vote for him
Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who left his office in 2008 amid a prostitution scandal, said on Monday that even he wouldn't vote for sexting scandal-plagued Anthony Weiner, who's trying to mount a political comeback to the mayor's office. Published July 30, 2013
Taliban storm Pakistani jail, freeing 250
Pakistani's Taliban claimed members stormed a prison in the South Waziristan tribal area around midnight on Monday with rocket grenades and suicide bombers, freeing 250 inmates, including several top militants. Published July 30, 2013
EU’s Catherine Ashton meets with Mohammed Morsi: ‘He is well’
The head of the European Union's foreign policy unit, Catherine Ashton, met with Egypt's Mohammed Morsi late Monday, the first time the former president has been granted a meeting with any diplomat since the military threw him from office on July 3. Published July 30, 2013
Florida school under fire for pro-Islam, anti-Christian history book
Advanced Placement history students at one Florida school have plenty of course materials on Islam, including 36 pages in the textbook devoted to the religion. But not so much on Christianity or Judaism — and that has one state lawmaker in an uproar. Published July 29, 2013
Ariel Castro’s son says his father should be imprisoned for life
The son of Ariel Castro — the Ohio man who confessed to kidnapping and holding three Cleveland-area women for nearly 10 years — said Monday his father rightly belongs in jail for the rest of his life. Published July 29, 2013
Birther alert: Venezuela President Maduro born in Colombia, opposition says
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was born in Colombia and is therefore ineligible to hold the high office, said members of a political party that opposes his presidency. Published July 29, 2013
FBI arrests 150 in 76-city child prostitution ring
Federal Bureau of Investigations agents arrested 150 suspects on Monday on charges related to a child prostitution ring that wove through 76 cities around the nation Published July 29, 2013
Eric Holder prodded by ethics group to probe Clapper claims
A government watchdog group demanded Monday in a letter that Attorney General Eric Holder investigate James Clapper, accusing the intelligence head of lying about NSA intelligence collection practices during recent congressional testimony. Published July 29, 2013
Anthony Weiner to New Yorkers: ‘You’re stuck with me’
Embattled New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner said he doesn't care what people say or how critics respond — he's not leaving the race. Published July 29, 2013
