Kellan Howell
Articles by Kellan Howell
Kurds retake Sinjar from Islamic State after two-day battle
Kurdish forces on Friday declared they had driven out Islamic State militants from the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar after just a two-day battle with the help of U.S. airstrikes. Published November 13, 2015
Islamic State committed genocide against Yazidi Christians in Iraq: report
The Islamic State terrorist group committed genocide against Iraq's Yazidi minority in the northern part of the country and carried out crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war crimes against other minorities, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum claimed in a new report. Published November 13, 2015
Golden Hammer: EPA kept sex offenders on staff
There are many reasons why an employer might sever ties with one of its employees, but apparently at the Environmental Protection Agency, breaking the law is not one of them. In fact, drug and child-sex offenders received paid administrative leave in two cases of the agency's use of administrative leave, which an audit called "unacceptable" and cost taxpayers over $1 million. Published November 12, 2015
U.S. B-52 bomber buzzes Chinese-built islands
At least one U.S. B-52 bomber flew over disputes Chinese manmade islands in the South China Sea recently, the Pentagon said Thursday. Published November 12, 2015
Islamic State claims responsibility for twin suicide bombs in Beirut
The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in Beirut on Thursday that killed at least 37 and wounded hundreds more. Published November 12, 2015
Norway: Russians using ‘sex and vodka’ to blackmail politicians
Norwegian authorities claim Russian spies have been blackmailing politicians, including members of parliament, into revealing state secrets by enticing them with vodka and sex. Published November 12, 2015
San Diego State University replaces homecoming ‘king’ and ‘queen’ with gender-neutral ‘royals’
San Diego State University has done away with its long-standing tradition of naming a homecoming "king" and "queen," and will now hand out the distinction to gender-neutral "royals." Published November 12, 2015
Evgeny Chistov, former Russian policeman, convicted of spying for CIA
Russia on Thursday convicted a former Moscow policeman of committing high treason by spying for the CIA and sentenced him to 13 years in prison, Russia's Federal Security Service FSP said in a statement. Published November 12, 2015
South Carolina boy, 13, shoots burglary suspect dead with mom’s shotgun
A 13-year-old South Carolina boy used his mother's shotgun to fend off two burglars, killing one, who attempted to break in to his home while his mother was at work on Tuesday. Published November 12, 2015
Germany reported to be spying on U.S., others after Angela Merkel’s outrage
After angrily upbraiding the U.S. for its electronic spying networks that targeted Germans, the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel has been rocked by two reports in less than a week charging that German intelligence targeted U.S. arms companies, the FBI, a top French diplomat, several international organizations and allied government departments, and even a German diplomat working for the European Union. Published November 11, 2015
France won’t dine without wine, cancels dinner with Iran over menu dispute
French officials have reportedly canceled plans for a formal dinner with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Paris next week following a dispute over the menu. Published November 11, 2015
Faisal Mohammad, UC Merced stabber, printed out ISIS flag; police turn probe over to FBI
Police have found a printout of the Islamic State flag among the belonging of Faisal Mohammad, a student who stabbed four people at the University of California, Merced last week. Published November 11, 2015
Hunter Park, white male, accused of making terror threats against black U. of Missouri students
Police arrested 19-year-old Hunter Park for allegedly making online threats toward black students and faculty at the University of Missouri on Wednesday. Authorities said he is not a student at the school. Published November 11, 2015
Nonprofit designates purple parking spots for wounded veterans
Most parking lots have reserved premium spots for handicapped drivers, expectant mothers and sometimes even active duty military members. Now a nonprofit group is working to designate reserved parking spots for wounded combat veterans as a thank-you for their service. Published November 11, 2015
Germany spied on FBI, U.S. companies, French minister, UN, Vatican
Germany's federal intelligence service, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) reportedly spied on the FBI, U.S. arms companies and the embassies and interior departments of its allied countries, according to German news reports. Published November 11, 2015
Islamic State propaganda video allegedly shows militants slaughtering 200 Syrian children
A video purportedly showing Islamic State militants murdering what appear to be 200 Syrian children was posted online Monday by an anti-Islamic State group based in Yemen. Published November 10, 2015
Veterans’ graves targeted by vandals in Mass. cemetery
Police are searching for the vandals who toppled headstones, shattered miniature statues and snapped flags on the graves of veterans buried in a Massachusetts cemetery over the weekend. Published November 10, 2015
One of 10 death row inmates are vets with PTSD; mental health no factor in sentencing
Roughly 10 percent of inmates on death row are U.S. military veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, but their mental health struggles are not being considered in sentencing, according to a study released Tuesday. Published November 10, 2015
Pentagon to release plans to close Gitmo and on alternative prison sites this week: report
The Pentagon is expected to release its long-awaited report outlining how it plans to close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and move the remaining detainees to another U.S. facility this week, officials say. Published November 10, 2015
Ben Nasr Mehdi, Islamic terrorist, caught trying to enter Europe on migrant boat
A convicted terrorist with ties to the Islamic State group was caught trying to enter Europe in a migrant boat with asylum seekers arriving from Libya. Published November 10, 2015
