Cheryl K. Chumley
Columns by Cheryl K. Chumley
Pakistan conducts ballistic missile test
First North Korea. Now Pakistan. The Pakistani government said Tuesday it had successfully conducted a test of its short-range ballistic missiles — which are capable of carrying nuclear firepower. Published February 12, 2013
Disgraced British bank Barclays vows new path, lays off 3,700
The new chief executive of disgraced banking empire Barclays — the third largest bank in Britain — is vowing a return to ethical investments, underscoring his message with the firing of 3,700 employees. Published February 12, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry seeks to free $700 million for Palestinian aid
One of newly appointed Secretary of State John Kerry's first moves is to free up an estimated $700 million in U.S. aid to the Palestinians, according to a spokeswoman for the department. Published February 12, 2013
IOC cuts wrestling from 2020 Olympic Games over slumping ratings, ticket sales
The International Olympic Committee has cut wresting from the 2020 games — but it's still not known which sport will take its place. Published February 12, 2013
Original Emancipation Proclamation on display in Nashville
The original Emancipation Proclamation is making its one and only 150th anniversary tour stop, at the Tennessee State Museum, beginning on the signer's birthday Tuesday. Published February 12, 2013
Lehigh University graduate sues school for $1.3m for C-plus
A former Lehigh University student is suing her alma mater for $1.3 million over a C-plus she received in class in 2009. Published February 12, 2013
Phone subsidies cost Americans $2.2 billion a year, much of it wasted
Taxpayers spent an estimated $2.2 billion to give phones to those with low incomes in 2012 — but some shouldn't have received them. According to one report, a large number of program participants may have received phones even though they didn't meet income limits. Published February 12, 2013
Terror group Hamas launches own news organization
The terrorist organization Hamas has launched its own news group, Al Rai, which means Opinion, with a staff of 15 writers who will "focus on the Palestinian issue, and Arab and international news relating to this issue," according to the agency's spokesman. Published February 12, 2013
Investigators believe slayings suspect Chris Dorner had accomplice helping him flee
Investigators believe Christopher Dorner, the fugitive former Los Angeles police officer charged with murdering three, may have had help fleeing to Mexico, a new report says. Published February 12, 2013
Obama faces struggle to marshal business support for climate policy
President Obama is facing a tough time shepherding the same level of support from the business community for his environmental agenda that he touted during his first term. Politico reports he would do well to broaden his base of support, given the loss of several who once supported his cap-and-trade. Published February 12, 2013
Berlusconi’s sex trial delayed until after Italian election
Italian judges have delayed the sex trial of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi until after elections because he has too many campaign commitments, they ruled. Published February 12, 2013
EU pressured to ban sales of goods from disputed Israeli lands
The European Union may take disciplinary action against Israel and ban the sale of products from the nation that hail from the Golan Heights and the West Bank. Published February 12, 2013
Iran calls for the destruction of all nuclear weapons
Just hours after North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, Iran officials have called on world powers to abolish all nuclear weapons. Published February 12, 2013
Mali reluctant to let in U.N. peacekeepers
Mali — engaged in a bloody fight with Islamist extremists for control of the country — is nonetheless hesitating to grant the United Nations permission to send a peacekeeping force to help establish calm. Published February 12, 2013
‘Shrewd cardinals’ expected to move pope selection process quickly — but secretly
The Vatican's closed-door selection of the new pope is expected to move quickly, with a replacement for Pope Benedict XVI — who announced a Feb. 28 resignation on Monday — to come by Easter, according to Vatican officials. Published February 12, 2013
Will Obama take executive action on climate change?
Political watchers expect President Obama to go heavy on the climate change talk during his Tuesday evening State of the Union address. But they also predict he might take executive action — meaning the issuance of executive orders — and push his environmental agenda over the failure of a Congress that has, so far, refused to act. Published February 12, 2013
Obama to issue executive order on cybersecurity
President Obama is set to issue on Wednesday an executive order to fight off electronic attacks and hackers, according to various media. Published February 12, 2013
Obama Cabinet loses another woman: SBA’s Karen Mills leaving
Karen Mills, head of the Small Business Administration since 2009, is leaving her position, according to a media report. Published February 12, 2013
Former Rep. Joe Walsh says he’ll sue Chicago Sun-Times for defamation
Former Rep. Joe Walsh from Illinois is planning to sue the Chicago Sun-Times for defamation, after the newspaper printed what he said was an inaccurate portrayal of him as a "deadbeat dad." Published February 12, 2013
U.N. Security Council to hold emergency meeting on North Korea’s nuclear test
The U.N. Security Council is holding an emergency meeting Tuesday morning to discuss North Korea's latest nuclear test, conducted at a remote underground site, according to various media. South Korean authorities initially reported a 5.1 magnitude "artificial earthquake" that was a suspected nuclear test from its northern neighbor. Published February 12, 2013