This page features brief excerpts of stories published by the mainstream
media and, less frequently, blogs, alternative media, and even obviously
biased sources. The excerpts are taken directly from the websites cited in
each source note. Quotation marks are not used.
Source: Live Science
Apr 14, 2009
The powerful Habsburg dynasty that ruled Spain for nearly 200 years came to an abrupt end in 1700 with the death of King Charles II, who left no heirs to the throne.
The termination of that royal lineage may be the result of frequent inbreeding of the line, which may have left Charles II ill and infertile, a new study suggests.
The House of Habsburg was one of the major royal houses of Europe for many centuries. The Habsburgs ruled over Austria for more than six centu
Source: Time Magazine
Apr 14, 2009
[#1] At his peak, Al Capone was America's most powerful mobster, overseeing a massive Chicago crime syndicate during Prohibition's heyday. So what would finally take down this kingpin? The betrayal of a loyal associate maybe? A brutal mob murder? Please. This isn't the movies. The Godfather's tendency to not pay his taxes would prove his downfall. ...
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Apr 14, 2009
On the 266th anniversary of his birth, some of Thomas Jefferson's biggest fans are again speaking out on the controversy that followed him to his grave in 1826 and has been fodder for scandal ever since.
Meeting beneath a portrait of the Virginian in the state Capitol he designed more than 200 years ago, the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society today made the case against claims the nation's third president had an affair with slave Sally Hemings and with her, had several children after
Source: CBS News
Apr 14, 2009
The return of alleged Nazi death camp guard John Demjanjuk to Germany for trial on war crimes was delayed again Tuesday by a federal court, shortly after six immigration officers removed the retired autoworker from his suburban Cleveland home in a wheelchair.
A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay until it could further consider Demjanjuk's motion to reopen the U.S. case that ordered him deported, in which he says painful medical ailments would
Source: AP
Apr 14, 2009
Critics of President Barack Obama's handling of the economy are planning nationwide "tea parties" Wednesday -- and not for the sake of polite conversation.
Coast-to-coast demonstrations against Obama's big-spending economic stimulus package are promised for the day that is also the deadline for filing federal income tax returns.
Whether Republicans -- in disarray since losing the presidential election last year -- can deliver is open to question.
Source: Thanh Nien News (Vietnam)
Apr 14, 2009
An official in the northern province of Bac Ninh says a local People’s Committee knowingly deceived higher authorities when obtaining permission for the controversial leveling of a 13th century temple.
The 700-year-old Rong (Dragon) Temple was demolished in January under the approval of Dinh Bang Ward authorities, which said the temple was dilapidated and needed to be completely rebuilt for the celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi’s 1000th anniversary next year.
But an offic
Source: Telegraph (UK)
Apr 14, 2009
Nazi women's magazines featuring knitting patterns, fashion advice and propaganda blaming the British for World War Two are to be auctioned.
The unusual collection of Frauen Warte – literally translated as Women Wait – have much in common with today's glossy magazines.
Celebrities featured include leading Nazi Hermann Goering, who is pictured cuddling his daughter Edda, and stories on home economics and fashion news share space with those about Britain's culpability i
Source: BBC
Apr 14, 2009
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has described US rules allowing unlimited family travel and remittances to the island as "positive, although minimal".
He welcomed the changes - announced by the Obama administration on Monday - in a column posted on a Cuban web site.
The changes will allow Cuban Americans to travel more freely to Cuba and allow them to send more money to relatives still living there.
Last month Mr Obama signed a bill easing
Source: Foxnews
Apr 14, 2009
As anti-tax protesters organize tea parties across the country on April 15, rumors are swirling that a backlash is brewing.
Some believe ACORN, which has been under scrutiny for accusations of voter fraud, is preparing to crash some of the tea parties. But ACORN says it is only helping to organize dozens of rallies on the same day in support of President Obama's first budget.
Taxdayteaparty.com, which is helping to organize the protests, said more than 250 locations in
Source: CNN
Apr 14, 2009
Nazi war crimes suspect John Demjanjuk was granted an emergency stay late Tuesday to block what appeared to be his imminent deportation to Germany.
The ruling, handed down by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, came less than two hours after federal immigration officials took Demjanjuk into custody at his home near Cleveland, Ohio.
The deportation of Demjanjuk, who had been transported to an Ohio detention facility when the stay was issued, would set the stage for wh
Source: CNN
Apr 14, 2009
A statue of former President Ronald Reagan will be placed in the U.S. Capitol in June, as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection.
Former first lady Nancy Reagan will join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the statue's unveiling on June 3.
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Source: AP
Apr 13, 2009
The USS Bainbridge, which organized the rescue of an American ship captain from Somali pirates, was named for Commodore William Bainbridge, who was held prisoner by the Barbary pirates from 1803 to 1805.
During the American Revolution, Bainbridge's first command was the schooner Retaliation.
And it was snipers shooting from Bainbridge — the ship — that brought an end to the hostage situation off the coast of Africa.
Source: National Geographic News
Apr 13, 2009
Deep inside the tomb of Scorpion I (no relation to the Rock), scientists discovered Egypt's oldest wines.
And now it appears the 5,000-year-old wines were spiked with natural medicines—centuries before the practice was thought to exist in Egypt, researchers say.
Archaeochemist Patrick McGovern and colleagues found chemical residues of herbs, tree resins, and other natural substances inside wine jars from the tomb, the previously discovered resting place of one of Egypt
Source: AP
Apr 13, 2009
More than 65 years after villagers provided shelter to Italian Jews fleeing from the Nazis, a group of those who evaded capture rushed to repay that sacrifice in rural communities hard-hit by an earthquake last week.
A delegation of around 20 elderly Jews and their descendants — as well as community leaders — made their way to makeshift camps in the area around the mountain city of L'Aquila on Monday, peering into tents in a bid to find their saviors.
They offered every
Source: TheDailyBeast.com
Apr 13, 2009
Spanish prosecutors have decided to press forward with a criminal investigation targeting former U.S. attorney general Alberto Gonzales and five top associates over their role in the torture of five Spanish citizens held at Guantánamo, several reliable sources close to the investigation have told The Daily Beast. Their decision is expected to be announced on Tuesday before the Spanish central criminal court, the Audencia Nacional, in Madrid. But the decision is likely to raise concerns with the
Source: http://www.thefranklinpress.com
Apr 13, 2009
The Macon County airport authority chairman said they are moving towards reaching a compromise with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI) over archaeological recovery at the proposed runway extension site at the Macon County Airport.
Airport authority chairman Miles Gregory made the announcement during their March 31 meeting, which drew a large crowd of citizens who came to speak in public session.
Gregory said the compromise would entail conducting 100 percen
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Apr 13, 2009
One hundred and forty-four years ago tomorrow, Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington when John Wilkes Booth slipped into the president's box and shot him.
Lincoln died the next morning, and now his blood and brain matter - on part of a pillowcase at a Philadelphia museum - are being sought for DNA testing that may definitely solve a medical mystery.
Was the 16th president dying of cancer at the time of the assassination?
John S
Source: AP
Apr 13, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. –- A young soldier who went missing in action nearly 60 years ago in the Korean War has been laid to rest in his native Kentucky after the military identified his remains.
Attended by relatives he never knew, Army Cpl. Lloyd Dale Stidham was buried Monday with military honors at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. His funeral service was held earlier that day in Lexington.
A half brother, Donald Stidham, said the Army was able to confirm that Lloyd and the sol
Source: Living in Peru
Apr 13, 2009
The National Institute of Culture (INC) is currently preparing a preservation project to prevent damaged caused by weather on the enigmatic Nazca Lines, (Ica region) reported Mario Olaechea, resident archaeologist of this organization in Nasca.
Heavy rains have affected the region during the first quarter, but without causing serious consequences. "The most important part of this project is the preventive stage", Olaechea said.
Source: AFP
Apr 13, 2009
China's ancient capital of Xian is to build an underground line to the museum of the famed terracotta warriors, one of the nation's most prized tourist attractions, state press said Monday.
The 30-kilometre (18-mile) line will extend from Xian's city centre to the museum that houses the clay warriors that were buried more than 2,200 years ago near the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang, Xinhua news agency said.
The army of warriors and horses of the Qin emperor
