In an interview this morning on NBC’s “Today,” the 50-year-old former “Two and a Half Men” star Charlie Sheen said he tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. When asked by “Today” co-host Matt Lauer if he had transmitted the disease to others, the notoriously promiscuous Sheen declared it “impossible.” But… Read More
Major changes coming to hip, knee surgery under Medicare
Medicare on Monday launched a major payment change for hip and knee replacements, the most common inpatient surgery for its 55 million beneficiaries. Starting April 1, hospitals in 67 metropolitan areas — from Akron, Ohio, to Wichita, Kansas — will be held responsible for the results of hip and knee… Read More
Incredible face transplant gives burned firefighter a second chance
A volunteer firefighter badly burned in a 2001 blaze has received the most extensive face transplant ever, covering his skull and much of his neck, a New York hospital announced Monday. The surgery took place in August at the NYU Langone Medical Center. The patient, 41-year-old Patrick Hardison, is still… Read More
Not in my state! 26 governors refuse Syrian migrants
More than half of all U.S. states are revolting against a White House plan to settle thousands of Syrian migrants. They have declared that the refugees will not be welcome in their states until security issues are cleared up. Even some Democrats are breaking ranks, with New Hampshire Governor Maggie… Read More
Confirmed: Russian airplane taken down by terrorist bomb
A homemade explosive device brought down a Russian passenger plane over Egypt last month, the head of Russia’s FSB security service said Tuesday, telling Russian President Vladimir Putin it’s now clear the bombing that killed 224 people was a “terrorist” act. The FSB also offered a $50 million reward for… Read More
Heart-wrenching stories of the Paris attack victims
French President Francois Hollande said the attacks in Paris targeted “youth in all its diversity,” killing at least 129. Here are some of their stories: — Ciprian Calciu, 32, and Lacramioara Pop, 29, were among the millions of Romanians who have migrated West in recent years in search of better-paid… Read More
Busted! Genius vandals accidentally call cops… on themselves
Police in Maine say a teenager’s accidental pocket dial to 911 led to three arrests for vandalism that included damage to a fleet of school buses on Halloween. The Sun Journal reports that the errant call in Lisbon led police to the teenagers, who were charged with illegally consuming alcohol… Read More
Details emerge in teen’s sick rape, murder of his teacher
A Massachusetts teenager killed his math teacher and did “unspeakable things” to her body, but he was driven by severe mental illness, his defense attorney told jurors at his murder trial Monday. Philip Chism, 16, is charged with murder, rape and robbery in the October 2013 slaying of Colleen Ritzer…. Read More
Warning! Severe weather front to SLAM parts of US
A wintry blast of air is expected to bring severe cold weather to parts of the Western United States this week. The cold front has already whipped up a damaging tornado in Central California and hit the Los Angeles area with gusts topping 70 mph, forecasters said. Drivers in Southern California… Read More
US airstrikes take out 100+ ISIS oil trucks
In a new twist to an intensifying campaign to squeeze Islamic State oil revenues, U.S. warplanes have destroyed 116 oil-hauling trucks in eastern Syria that were a key part of a smuggling operation that brings the group an estimated $1.4 million a day. The series of strikes conducted Sunday and… Read More