Add another troubling side effect to the list of health issues caused by cigarettes: Smoking may cause the Y chromosome to disappear from men's blood cells.
A new study finds that men who smoke lose the Y chromosome in blood cells more frequently than nonsmokers — and the heavier their cigarette use is, the fewer Y chromosomes they have.
This Y chromosome loss could explain why male smokers are athigher risk of cancer than female smokers, the researchers said in their study, published today (Dec. 4) in the journal Science.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
This Picture on Americans vs. Illegal Workers Should be Seen by Everyone
But more and more, it looks like President Barack Obama wants to reward people forbreaking the law.
A new political cartoon made fun of that exact problem, but the facts behind it are no laughing matter.
The cartoon shows two men looking for work. One is an American citizen, and the other is an illegal immigrant. Neither has health insurance.
There’s one big difference: The U.S. citizen comes with a $2,000 penalty to the employer. In comparison, the illegal alien includes a $3,000 bonus.
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Congress gives Native American lands to foreign mining company with new NDAA
Congress is poised to give a foreign mining company 2,400 acres of national forest in Arizona that is cherished ancestral homeland to Apache natives. Controversially, the measure is attached to annual legislation that funds the US Defense Department.
This week, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees quietly attached a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would mandate the handover of a large tract of Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the Australian-English mining company Rio Tinto, which co-owns with Iran a uranium mine in Africa and which is 10-percent-owned by China.
The “Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015” - named after the retiring chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services panels - includes the giveaway of Apache burial, medicinal, and ceremonial grounds currently within the bounds of Tonto. News of the land provision was kept under wraps until late Tuesday, when the bill was finally posted online.
The land proposed to be given to Resolution Copper, in exchange for other lands, includes prime territory Apaches have used for centuries to gather medicinal plants and acorns, and it is near a spot known as Apache Leap, a summit that Apaches jumped from to avoid being killed by settlers in the late 19th century.
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This week, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees quietly attached a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would mandate the handover of a large tract of Tonto National Forest to Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the Australian-English mining company Rio Tinto, which co-owns with Iran a uranium mine in Africa and which is 10-percent-owned by China.
The “Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015” - named after the retiring chairmen of the Senate and House Armed Services panels - includes the giveaway of Apache burial, medicinal, and ceremonial grounds currently within the bounds of Tonto. News of the land provision was kept under wraps until late Tuesday, when the bill was finally posted online.
The land proposed to be given to Resolution Copper, in exchange for other lands, includes prime territory Apaches have used for centuries to gather medicinal plants and acorns, and it is near a spot known as Apache Leap, a summit that Apaches jumped from to avoid being killed by settlers in the late 19th century.
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Here’s What Happened When a Texas Police Officer Confronted an Open Carry Advocate and Thought Nobody Else Was Watching
A Houston officer has sparked an internal police investigation after video of his confrontation with anprotester legally carrying a firearm was captured on video – but only after the man objected to the officer who at first tried to delete it.
“Got your ID?” the officer asked the man.
“No, sir. I do not,” he said.
The officer later told the man he needed to have his ID so he could tell who he was. The man then told the officer he could tell him who he was.
The officer then asked him, “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”
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“Got your ID?” the officer asked the man.
“No, sir. I do not,” he said.
The officer later told the man he needed to have his ID so he could tell who he was. The man then told the officer he could tell him who he was.
The officer then asked him, “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”
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Saudi-born US naval engineer allegedly gave undercover agent info on how to sink carrier
A Naval engineer is facing charges that he gave an FBI undercover agent posing as an Egyptian intelligence officer secret documents about the new Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier while discussing how to sink the vessel with a missile.
Mostafa Ahmed Awwad, 35, of Yorktown, Va., was arrested Friday on an FBI affidavit that reads like it came from a Tom Clancy novel.
Federal prosecutors in Virginia say that during his conversations with the undercover, Awwad arranged to use a dead-drop location along a secluded hiking trail to pass secrets about the Ford, which is being built in Virginia for delivery to the Navy in 2016.
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Mostafa Ahmed Awwad, 35, of Yorktown, Va., was arrested Friday on an FBI affidavit that reads like it came from a Tom Clancy novel.
Federal prosecutors in Virginia say that during his conversations with the undercover, Awwad arranged to use a dead-drop location along a secluded hiking trail to pass secrets about the Ford, which is being built in Virginia for delivery to the Navy in 2016.
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This Time Is The Same: Like The Housing Bubble, The Fed Is Ignoring The Shale Bubble In Plain Sight
We are now far advanced into the third central bank generated bubble of the last two decades, but our monetary politburo has taken no notice whatsoever of its self-evident leading wave. Namely, the massive malinvestments and debt mania in the shale patch.
Call them monetary bourbons. It is no exaggeration to say that inhabitants of the Eccles Building deserve every single word of Talleyrand’s famous epithet: “They learned nothing and forgot nothing.”
To wit, during the last cycle they claimed to be fostering the Great Moderation and permanent full employment prosperity. It didn’t work. When the housing and credit bubble blew-up, it washed out all the phony gains from the Greenspan/Bernanke printing spree. By the time the liquidation was finished in early 2010, there were 2 million fewer payroll jobs than there had been at the turn of the century.
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Call them monetary bourbons. It is no exaggeration to say that inhabitants of the Eccles Building deserve every single word of Talleyrand’s famous epithet: “They learned nothing and forgot nothing.”
To wit, during the last cycle they claimed to be fostering the Great Moderation and permanent full employment prosperity. It didn’t work. When the housing and credit bubble blew-up, it washed out all the phony gains from the Greenspan/Bernanke printing spree. By the time the liquidation was finished in early 2010, there were 2 million fewer payroll jobs than there had been at the turn of the century.
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Stinky revenge: Couple tricks holiday package thief into stealing box of dog poop
Tis the season for package thieves; many D.C.-area residents have recently caught robbers taking packages on surveillance. But for one couple, caught on camera wasn’t enough—they boxed up a stinky surprise from their two dogs.
About 3 p.m. Friday, surveillance footage shows a man walking up and down the sidewalk in front of their home, before stealing their package and taking off. The caught-on-camera incident marked the third package taken from their yard since October.
“Obviously, it made me really mad,” said the woman, whom ABC 7 is not identifying. “I worked hard, saved my money, bought something and then it was just gone.”
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Will GOP's control of the South play significant role in 2016 races?
The defeat Saturday of Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu was essentially the final act in the Republican Party’s control this fall of the South -- a transition expected to have a significant impact on the 2016 White House races.
The victory by Republican challenger and Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy means that Democrats in January will be left without a single U.S. senator or governor across nine states -- stretching from the Carolinas to Texas.
And GOP runoff victories Saturday in two Louisiana House districts ensure the party of at least 246 seats, the largest Republican advantage since the Truman administration after World War II.
Furthermore, Republicans in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas will control nearly every majority-white congressional district and both state legislative chambers.
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The victory by Republican challenger and Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy means that Democrats in January will be left without a single U.S. senator or governor across nine states -- stretching from the Carolinas to Texas.
And GOP runoff victories Saturday in two Louisiana House districts ensure the party of at least 246 seats, the largest Republican advantage since the Truman administration after World War II.
Furthermore, Republicans in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas will control nearly every majority-white congressional district and both state legislative chambers.
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From Earlier Today
Bomb Threats and bank robberies (2 locations)
Parkside High School
Salisbury, Maryland
Wicomico County
It's happened yet again. A bomb threat was phoned into police, and then an area bank was robbed while police were investigating the bomb threat.
Parkside High School was evacuated, bomb sniffing dogs were dispatched. The all clear has been given.
In Princess Anne, a bank was robbed after a robber stole money and brought in a box that he said contained a bomb.
Parkside High School
Salisbury, Maryland
Wicomico County
It's happened yet again. A bomb threat was phoned into police, and then an area bank was robbed while police were investigating the bomb threat.
Parkside High School was evacuated, bomb sniffing dogs were dispatched. The all clear has been given.
In Princess Anne, a bank was robbed after a robber stole money and brought in a box that he said contained a bomb.
Maryland's Most Popular Health Exchange Plans Cost $475 A Month For Individuals
Health insurance might be more accessible — especially now that Maryland's insurance exchange is working properly — but shoppers shouldn't expect a bargain.
Maryland residents this year paid an average premium of $475 a month for mid-range health plans purchased through the state's exchange, according to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange's 2014 annual report. That price includes income-based tax credits that 79 percent of Maryland Health Connection shoppers were eligible to receive.
The state-based and federally run insurance exchanges, which opened last year, have made a big difference for people who were uninsured. More than 80,000 people gained health care coverage through Maryland's exchange and nationally roughly 8 million Americans are now covered.
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Maryland residents this year paid an average premium of $475 a month for mid-range health plans purchased through the state's exchange, according to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange's 2014 annual report. That price includes income-based tax credits that 79 percent of Maryland Health Connection shoppers were eligible to receive.
The state-based and federally run insurance exchanges, which opened last year, have made a big difference for people who were uninsured. More than 80,000 people gained health care coverage through Maryland's exchange and nationally roughly 8 million Americans are now covered.
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Indiana Town Fights Atheists on Nativity Scene: ‘They Can Look The Other Way’
Local commissioners, meanwhile, are largely ignoring the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s threat to sue.
This is the fourth year in a row that the atheist group has threatened to sue the town over its nativity scene, which is owned by the town, the Christian Post reported. The group’s argument is that it’s “unlawful for a government body to maintain, erect or host a holiday display that consists solely of a nativity scene, thus singling out, showing preference for and endorsing religion,” The Blaze reported.
But the town government has refused to back down. And local residents don’t seem appreciative of the atheists’ intrusion.
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School Board Answers Transgender Student’s Complaint
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A transgender student at Gloucester High School will not be allowed to use the boys restroom. That decision came from the county’s school board Tuesday night, in a 6-1 vote for a policy to have bathrooms used according to sex, not gender identity.
10th grader Gavin Grimm, who was born a girl, says he is a boy and is taking hormone medicine with plans to have a sex change. He doesn’t feel comfortable using the girls bathroom at school, and wants to use the boys bathroom.
The issue was brought before school board members last month, but the vote was tabled until this week, to allow more time for members to study and consider the matter.
In the meantime, the American Civil Liberties Union warned Gloucester County Schools it will sue the school board, if Gavin’s civil rights are violated.
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10th grader Gavin Grimm, who was born a girl, says he is a boy and is taking hormone medicine with plans to have a sex change. He doesn’t feel comfortable using the girls bathroom at school, and wants to use the boys bathroom.
The issue was brought before school board members last month, but the vote was tabled until this week, to allow more time for members to study and consider the matter.
In the meantime, the American Civil Liberties Union warned Gloucester County Schools it will sue the school board, if Gavin’s civil rights are violated.
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UPDATE: Worcester County Sheriff's Office
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
On 12/10/2014 at about 1030 hrs., the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Rt. 366, Stockton, Maryland after a driver for Waste Management, saw a small silver Honda civic on the side of Route 366 between Bird Hill Rd and Little Mill Rd., Stockton, Maryland. Upon closer inspection the driver observed someone lying in the ditch. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to investigate.
Deputies arrived on scene and located a 78 year old white female deceased lying in the ditch.
The initial investigation has revealed the deceased was seen at approximately 1555 hrs. on 12/9/2014 by a passerby who saw an elderly white female in a small silver vehicle being pushed off to the side of the road by a UPS driver and another person. The subject advised that when they drove back through the same area approximately 1645 hrs. the vehicle was on the side of the road with the parking lights on and she did not see the female subject.
The deceased has been identified as Hazel Virginia O’Neill, 78 years of age of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The vehicle was registered to Ms. O’Neill
Ms. O’Neill was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
"Riddles" Surround 36th Dead Banker Of The Year
52-year-old Belgian Geert Tack - a private banker for ING who managed portfolios for wealthy individuals - was described as 'impeccable', 'sporty', 'cared-for', and 'successful' and so as Vermist reports, after disappearing a month ago, the appearance of his body off the coast of Ostend is surrpunded by riddles...
Tack disappeared on November 5th...
Tack disappeared on November 5th...
OCPD Officer Charged By Knife-Wielding Suspect; Man Eventually Drops Knife After Cop Threatens To Shoot Him
Around 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, an OCPD officer responded to an apartment at 25 Philadelphia Ave. for a reported trespassing. OCPD Communications advised the officer the suspect, later identified as Bryan Taylor, 48, of Ocean City, was inside unit 18. According to the police report, it was third time during the course of the night a complaint had been filed against Taylor for trespassing at the same unit.
As the OCPD officer entered the apartment building, he heard a male voice and pounding on a door. The officer slowly walked up the stairs toward the unit and heard Taylor pounding on the door and saying over and over, “I’m going to kill you, [expletive deleted] I’m going to kill you.” The officer then heard Taylor say, “I’m going to slice you open, I have a knife and I’m going to slice you open.”
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TROOPER AND DRIVER INJURED IN EARLY MORNING CRASH
Maryland State Police Press Release
12/10/2014
TROOPER AND DRIVER INJURED IN EARLY MORNING CRASH
12/10/2014
TROOPER AND DRIVER INJURED IN EARLY MORNING CRASH
(BARCLAY, MD) – While responding to an emergency service call, a Maryland state trooper and another driver were injured early this morning when their vehicles collided at an intersection in Queen Anne’s County.
The injured trooper is Senior Trooper John P. Sayles, 43, a 10-year veteran, who is assigned to the Centreville Barrack. He was transported by emergency medical personnel to Chester River Hospital for the treatment of his injuries sustained in the crash. He has been released and is currently recovering at home.
The operator of the other vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, is identified as Bonnie L. Meta, 59, of the 1700-block of Dixon Tavern Road, in Barclay, Maryland. Meta was transported by emergency medical personnel to Chester River Hospital for the treatment of her injuries sustained in the crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 6:00 a. m., Senior Trooper Sayles was responding to assist with a personal injury crash. He was on duty in his marked patrol vehicle with the emergency equipment activated. Senior Trooper Sayles was traveling northbound through the intersection at MD Route 313 and MD Route 302 in Barclay, Maryland.
While proceeding through the intersection, a Chevrolet Impala failed to yield to the marked patrol car, traveling with lights and siren activated, and drove into the path of the responding trooper. The Impala sustained damage to the driver’s rear of the vehicle while the state police vehicle sustained damage to the front end.
The crash investigation is being conducted by troopers from the Centreville Barrack. This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
CONTACT:
Sgt. Marc Black, Sr.
Office of Media Communications
410-653-4236
The injured trooper is Senior Trooper John P. Sayles, 43, a 10-year veteran, who is assigned to the Centreville Barrack. He was transported by emergency medical personnel to Chester River Hospital for the treatment of his injuries sustained in the crash. He has been released and is currently recovering at home.
The operator of the other vehicle, a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, is identified as Bonnie L. Meta, 59, of the 1700-block of Dixon Tavern Road, in Barclay, Maryland. Meta was transported by emergency medical personnel to Chester River Hospital for the treatment of her injuries sustained in the crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 6:00 a. m., Senior Trooper Sayles was responding to assist with a personal injury crash. He was on duty in his marked patrol vehicle with the emergency equipment activated. Senior Trooper Sayles was traveling northbound through the intersection at MD Route 313 and MD Route 302 in Barclay, Maryland.
While proceeding through the intersection, a Chevrolet Impala failed to yield to the marked patrol car, traveling with lights and siren activated, and drove into the path of the responding trooper. The Impala sustained damage to the driver’s rear of the vehicle while the state police vehicle sustained damage to the front end.
The crash investigation is being conducted by troopers from the Centreville Barrack. This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.
CONTACT:
Sgt. Marc Black, Sr.
Office of Media Communications
410-653-4236
Following In His Fathers Footsteps
Colby Robinson knew what he wanted to be early in life. His dad was a Maryland state trooper. In fact, 18-month old Colby showed up at his dad's State Police graduation in 1994 wearing his own MD State Police uniform.
This Friday, Colby will be one of 70 new troopers who will graduate as part of the Maryland State Police Academy Class 142. Congratulations, Colby, on fulfilling a lifelong ambition!
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