Mount Everest’s glaciers are melting and scientists are pointing to climate change as the culprit. The news was announced on Tuesday at the Meeting of the Americas in Cancun, Mexico.

Glaciers on and near Mount Everest have shrunk by 13 percent in the past 50 years, while the snowline of the world’s tallest peak has shifted upward by 590 feet.

Sudeep Thakuri, a graduate student at the University of Milan in Italy, and his colleagues released the information. They tracked changes the glaciers made, as well as temperatures and precipitation at Everest and the surrounding Sagarmatha National Park.

The world’s tallest peak is located in the Himalaya Mountains between China and Nepal. It reaches an impressive 29,029 feet above sea level.

Glaciers in Sagarmatha National Park have retreated about 1,300 feet since 1962. Precipitation has also dropped by 3.9 inches and temperatures have risen by one degree Fahrenheit since 1992. The researchers added that glaciers smaller than one square kilometer are disappearing faster than other ice structures. Thakuri added:

“The Himalayan glaciers and ice caps are considered a water tower for Asia since they store and supply water downstream during the dry season. Downstream populations are dependent on the melt water for agriculture, drinking, and power production.”

In their statement, Thakuri and his colleagues explained that they believe the glaciers on Mount Everest are melting due to “human-generated greenhouse gases altering global climate.” However, they cautioned that they have yet to establish “a firm connection between the mountains’ changes and climate change.”

Climate change has been considered as the culprit for several cases like the one on Mount Everest. The Arctic ice sheet has melted to near-record low levels, while the Antarctic sheet has also seen some ice loss. But despite the ice on Mount Everest melting, The Karakoram Mountains glaciers, located on the China-India-Pakistan border, have not seen much loss. Rather, they appear to be growing.

[Image via Luca Galuzzi]

Mount Everest’s Glaciers Melting, Scientists Point To Climate Change is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Detroit tire shop allegedly paid its employees in crack cocaine instead of a paycheck for their work.

The business, ironically called Big C’s Tire Shop, originally came under federal investigation for alleged counterfeiting of US Postal Service paychecks to the tune of $100,000. But investigators also discovered that the shop had an interesting employee incentive program. “According to federal documents, if you cut the grass, you got a rock. Move tires, you get a rock.”

Apparently the business — which was located across the street from a senior center — was allegedly exploiting drug addiction for cheap labor. “Law enforcement became suspicious when they traced the bogus checks back to Big C’s, where a sweep of the auto garage turned up laser printers, computers, blank identification cards and check stock paper to make the fake notes — and some other items that raised the suspicion of police.” The suspicious items apparently included drug paraphernalia, and at that time the owner allegedly admitted he paid employees with illegal drugs.

The feds are reportedly only going to pursue the counterfeiting case rather than any drug charges because they believe they have stronger evidence. The illegal counterfeiting also carries a stiffer penalty if a guilty verdict is obtained. The tire shop is no longer paying employees with crack rocks fortunately.

In February, Detroit was named by Forbes as America’s most miserable city. Detroit took the title from Miami, FL, last year’s winner, which was nowhere to be found on this year’s list. Second place went to Flint, MI, while third went to Rockford, IL. Michigan, Illinois, and California tied for most appearances on the list, with three cities each. Forbes based its decision on nine factors: violent crime, unemployment, foreclosures, income taxes, property taxes, home prices, commute times, weather, and net migration. Violent crime in Detroit remains the highest in the country, with 1,052 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This is combined with cutbacks made to the police force as a result of the city’s financial problems.

[Top image credit: Specious]

Detroit Tire Shop Allegedly Paid Workers With Crack is a post from: The Inquisitr

Bernie Madoff says he can’t sleep, haunted in prison by the suicide of his oldest son, Mark, and the destruction he caused to the rest of his family.

Mark hanged himself on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest for running a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme.

“I was responsible for my son Mark’s death and that’s very, very difficult,” Madoff said from a federal prison in North Carolina. “I live with that. I live with the remorse, the pain I caused everybody, certainly my family, and the victims.”

Once one of New York’s most powerful investment brokers, Madoff is now working as clerk in the commissary of his federal prison. The work is only for a few hour a day, which Madoff said leaves him time to stew over his mistakes.

“I’m usually up at 4:30 in the morning because I can t sleep,” said Madoff.

As his $17.5 billion swindle came to light in 2008, Madoff saw his entire fortune disappear. He gave up his $7 million penthouse in Manhattan, his Long Island beach house, and homes in Florida and France.

Though Madoff tried to keep the effects of his crimes from reaching his family, it did not work. Aside from his son’s suicide, Madoff also say his younger brother, Peter, sent to jail for a 10-year sentence for trying to cover up the scheme.

While Bernie Madoff may claim he can’t sleep over his guilt, he still has shown some anger over how his case played out. In a series of emails to CNBC, Madoff said that his is frustrated over not getting credit for helping to return money to his victims. Madoff added that if he knew it would play out that way, he might have never pleaded guilty in the first place.

Despite Bernie Madoff admitting that he can’t sleep because he is so filled with guilt, some of his victims question whether he is really remorseful at all. Mike De Vita, author of The Club that No One Wanted to Join, says a man who would bring his son into a criminal enterprise isn’t truly sorry, and this his remorse is just “words, and words alone.”

Bernie Madoff Can’t Sleep, Haunted By Son’s Suicide is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Vikings decided to move backup QB Joe Webb to wide receiver. University of Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson was drafted last month as a wide receiver.

Could Tim Tebow be next? If he wants to stay in the NFL, the answer is yes.

The free agent quarterback has had one successful season in the NFL, leading the Denver Broncos to the playoffs and to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round.

But even as a full-time starter, Tebow didn’t the look of a conventional quarterback. He won games mostly on his bruising running style, wearing down opposing defenses with four quarters of punishment. His sub-50 percent completion rating and lack of arm strength and accuracy didn’t exactly strike fear in defenses.

If Tebow watched the Vikings move their QB to wide receiver, he might catch a glimpse of his own future. Tebow’s game lends much better to playing fullback or tight end, a position where he can use his size and strength and not have to worry about his arm.

Webb seems up the for the challenge in Minnesota.

“Coach brought me in the office and talked to me about the different plans they had and stuff,” Webb told Sid Hartman of the Star-Tribune. “I haven’t played [receiver] since my rookie minicamp, but I think I can adjust to it pretty good. You just have to put in a lot of work. Coach Stew [wide receivers coach George Stewart] will do a lot of that with me, so we’ll see what happens.”

For Tebow to make the shift to fullback or tight end, it would take the same kind of enthusiasm and work ethic. But seeing what Tebow has already done in the NFL — working hard to change his throwing motion after his senior year at Florida, accepting odd jobs like punt protector with the Jets — suggest he’s ready for it.

If the Vikings can move their QB to a new position, so can Tebow.

Vikings Move QB Webb To Wide Reciever, Tim Tebow Could Follow Suit is a post from: The Inquisitr

Just how did Taco Bell come up with the brilliant idea of making a hard shell taco out of a Doritos chip? If inmate Gary Cole is telling the truth, Taco Bell got the idea from him. The inmate filed a lawsuit against Taco Bell this week claiming that the restaurant stole his idea.

According to the Dallas Observer, Cole, who is currently at a super-max prison in Florence, Colorado, is suing Taco Bell, Pepsi, Frito Lay, and Taco Bell’s parent company Yum Brands, for stealing the Doritos Locos idea.

The Consumerist reports that Cole mailed a notarized document to his attorney in 2006 that contained nine imaginary products. One of those products was a taco made out of Doritos. Cole believes that Taco Bell intercepted the piece of mail, or paid someone for a copy of the document, and turned it into the hottest fast food item of the year.

In a letter to the IRS, Cole claims that Taco Bell wrote a check to an unidentified person for “an idea or invention that was submitted to them by theft and fraud.” Cole asks the IRS to identify the person who sold the idea, how much they sold it for, and how much they paid in taxes for the sale.

Cole has also filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act demanding Taco Bell to release any information related to the invention of the Doritos taco.

Cole hasn’t accused his attorney of any wrongdoings but he has decided to represent himself during his lawsuit against Taco Bell.

So far, Cole has not received a response.

Taco Bell has not commented on the lawsuit but the restaurant isn’t shying a way from creative ideas. The company recently announced that it was working on waffle taco. Which, by the laws of nonsense, will probably receive its own inmate lawsuit by the end of the year.

Inmate Sues Taco Bell For Stealing Doritos Idea is a post from: The Inquisitr

West, TX — The cause of the West fertilizer blast that killed 15 people and injured hundreds was declared “undetermined” on Thursday. Authorities have yet to find the reason why the town’s fertilizer plant exploded on April 17.

Investigators have searched through the remains of the plant, moved tons of debris, and conducted more than 400 interviews. But they have yet to find the missing piece of evidence that shows why the plant blew a massive crater in the ground last month.

The cause of the blast has been narrowed down to three possibilities: a problem with one of the plant’s electrical systems, a battery-powered golf cart, or a criminal act. They have already ruled out several other possibilities, including someone smoking and a rail car on site loaded with fertilizer.

Kelly Kistner, the Texas assistant state fire marshal, explained that the West fertilizer blast was actually made up of two explosions. The first was small and happened about 20 minutes after the fire was reported. The second, much larger, blast happened a split second later when about 20 to 34 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the plant ignited.

Another 28 to 30 tons stored on site, along with a rail car carrying roughly 100 tons of the hazardous chemical, did not explode. Kistner added of the investigation, “It’s like taking a large puzzle, putting it on the coffee table and trying to put the pieces back together, but you don’t know if the pieces are all there to begin with.”

Most of those who were killed in the West fertilizer plant explosion were firefighters and paramedics responding to the initial fire. The town of West has just 2,000 people and volunteer firefighters.

Both blasts happened because of ammonium nitrate, a dry fertilizer. The small explosion produced enough heat and shock to make the remaining fertilizer inside the storage building to explode. Kistner added, “To put this in a different perspective, the ammonium nitrate that exploded was equivalent to approximately 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of TNT.”

State officials have already announced a criminal probe into the West fertilizer plant blast.

West Fertilizer Blast Cause Remains ‘Undetermined’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

No, that’s not a Baby Ruth. According to the CDC, poop in pools is far more common than you may think.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention said that more than half of public pools may have some fecal mater in them.

The new report found that that 58% of public pools contained Escherichia coli, a bacteria that is found in the human digestive system. The CDC said that the presence of E. coli was a good indicator that there was poop in the pool.

The study was conducted at more than 160 pools int he Atlanta area and researchers emphasized that the results did not indicate that public pools across the country had the same amount of fecal matter in them. They did, however, say that recreational water illness has been rising in the United States.

The CDC writes: “Swimmers frequently introduce fecal material and pathogens into recreational water throughout the country.”

Live Science notes that average person has about .14 grams of fecal material on them during a normal day and that it can easily wash off in the pool if a person does not shower before swimming. The CDC urged people around the country to practice good hygiene before swimming in a public pool.

The report reads: “Swimmers have the power and responsibility to decrease the risk for RWIs by practicing good hygiene.”

The CDC also suggested that parents should check diapers every 30 to 60 minutes and make sure that children take bathroom breaks.

[Image Via OlegD / Shutterstock.com]

CDC: Poop In Pools More Common Than You Think is a post from: The Inquisitr

The House of Representatives has voted to repeal Obamacare — for the 37th time. The repeal vote was held on Thursday afternoon and signaled a possible growing trend of the GOP to voice their opinion on the law, called the Affordable Care Act, which passed in 2010.

The House held a successful vote to repeal the healthcare act by 229-195. However, the bill has little chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled House.

Rather, the decision to hold a vote repealing Obamacare was made by Republican leaders looking to appease freshman GOP lawmakers. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), explained:

“We’ve got 70 new members who have not had the opportunity to vote on the president’s health care law. Frankly, they’ve been asking for an opportunity to vote on it, and we’re going to give it to them.”

The House debated the Obamacare repeal bill before the vote on Thursday, revisiting many of the same polemical points each side has made since the bill was first debated in 2009 and 2010.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that repealing the Affordable Care Act could cause an increase in budget deficits of $109 billion in the next ten years. Should the law be rescinded, spending would be cut by $890 billion, while revenues would be cut by $1 trillion in the next 10 years.

Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI), the senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, called the vote to repeal Obamacare “a Republican obsession.” He added that it is “an embarrassing spectacle that has consumed House Republicans for more than two years, to the detriment of our economy and millions of Americans looking for work.”

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) countered, saying the law “puts the federal government precisely where it doesn’t belong.”

Thursday’s House vote to repeal Obamacare also sparked a Twitter feud between the two sides. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) started the hashtag #ObamaCareInThreeWords. The White House seized the opportunity to defend the healthcare reform, tweeting:

It’s. The. Law. #ObamaCareInThreeWords, twitter.com/whitehouse/sta…

— The White House (@whitehouse) May 16, 2013

Do you think the House’s bill to repeal Obamacare will work?

[Image via ShutterStock]

House Votes To Repeal ‘Obamacare,’ Again is a post from: The Inquisitr

Nothing feels worse than having to scroll all the way down past Uganda and stuff.

Americans Registering For Websites is a post from: The Inquisitr

But… but… they said it on Kitchen Nightmares! It must be true!

God Responds To Amy’s Baking Company is a post from: The Inquisitr

Lindsay Lohan has gained 5 pounds since having Adderall taken away during her court-ordered rehab stint, a source close to the actress has said.

Lohan has been at the Betty Ford Clinic after a judge sentenced her to rehab, but she is said to be having a difficult time without her Adderall. As a result, the 26-year-old actress has reportedly been turning to food for comfort.

The result is that Lindsay Lohan has gained 5 pounds.

Though Lindsay is reportedly trying to stay active, she’s found it’s difficult since being denied Adderall.

“She has been exercising, but she just doesn’t have a lot of energy because she is no longer taking Adderall, which is a psychostimulant medication that contains amphetamine,” the source said.

Lindsay was worried this might happen. The star reportedly “freaked out” when officials at the Betty Ford Clinic took away her Adderall last week.

“Lindsay has been able to eat whatever she has wanted and not gain weight for years and she attributes this to Adderall … everyone knows that the controversial drug ramps up your metabolism, and can suppress the appetite,” a source told RadarOnline last week.

Lohan said she needs the drug to treat her Attention Deficit Disorder.

Lindsay Lohan Gains 5 Pounds After Having Adderall Taken Away is a post from: The Inquisitr

A dying man’s blinks led to the conviction of Ricardo Woods, 35, for murder and felonious assault. Woods was convicted of killing David Chandler, who was shot on October 28, 2010.

Police interviewed Chandler, 35, after he was shot in the head and neck while sitting in his car in Cincinnati. He was only able to communicate through blinking his eyes and died two weeks after the incident.

Woods appeared to have no reaction to the guilty verdict, issued on the third day of jury deliberations. However, he stated, “I’m innocent,” as he was being led from the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

Jurors viewed the videotape of the police interviewing Chandler while he was hooked up to a ventilator. The tape shows the dying man blinking three times for “yes,” as he identified a photo of Woods as his shooter.

The defense tried to block the video from being admissible, saying that Chandler’s blinks were unreliable and inconsistent. But Judge Beth Myers ruled that jurors could see the video, saying Chandler’s identification was made by pronounced, exaggerated movement of the eyes.

In the video, the dying man’s blinks were sometimes unclear. They repeated questions to get clarification. But when it came to the photo of Woods, David Chandler blinked hard three times to signal, “yes.” He repeated the eye movements when investigators asked if he was sure.

The defense argued that Chandler’s condition and the drugs used to treat him could have affected his ability to understand and respond correctly during the taped interview. However, a doctor who treated the shooting victim testified that Chandler was able to communicate clearly about his condition.

Woods’ attorney added that there was no DNA evidence, no fingerprints, and no weapon to tie his client to the crime. But jurors appeared to side with the prosecution, deciding that the dying man’s blinks were a good indicator that Woods was guilty. Woods’ attorney is planning an appeal.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Dying Man’s Blinks Lead To Murder Conviction is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Jodi Arias jury was in tears as they listened to the family of Travis Alexander talk about how his murder tore them apart.

Arias was convicted last week of killing her former boyfriend in 2008 in a fit of jealous rage. She and Alexander had dated in the past, but he left her to begin dating other women.

Arias returned to his home to reunite with Alexander, spending the day having sex with him before killing him as he got out of the shower. He was stabbed and slashed multiple times.

Now that she has been convicted, Jodi Arias must wait to find out if the jury chooses life in prison or the death penalty for the 2008 murder. During the sentencing phase, jurors have heard from members of Alexander’s family devastated by his killing.

His younger brother, Steven Alexander, recalled the phone call from his sister where he learned Travis was dead.

“She told me, ‘Steven, Travis is dead,’” he said, trying to hold back tears. “I thought I was dreaming.”

Steven added, “The nature of my brother’s murder has had a major impact on me. It’s even invaded my dreams. I’ve had nightmares about somebody coming after me with a knife, then going after my wife and my daughter.

“I don’t want these nightmares anymore. I don’t want to see my brother’s murderer anymore.”

Samantha Alexander remembered her brother Travis as “the glue in our family.”

“Travis was our strength, our beacon of hope, our motivation,” she told jurors as she struggled to maintain her composure. “Our lives will never be the same. … We would give anything to have him back.”

Prosecutor Jan Martinez also painted a grisly picture of Alexander’s murder for jurors. He said that Travis was likely alive for two minutes while Arias stabbed and slashed him, a painful and terrifying death.

“We can imagine the absolute terror as he’s sitting there, defenseless. As he’s seated the knife comes toward him, is hitting him. That is extreme emotional anguish, mental anguish, to watch the blade come up to him. And he can see, and hear, and breathe, and smell, and he knows exactly what is going on,” Martinez said.

“Travis Alexander, on June 4, 2008, suffered enough for two lifetimes,” he said.

It wasn’t just the Arias jury in tears during the testimony. Several times Jodi herself wiped away tears as she looked away from jurors.

Arias Jury In Tears During Testimony From Victim’s Family is a post from: The Inquisitr

A video of Toronto mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack cocaine is being shopped to media outlets by Somali men involved in the city’s drug trade who are asking a six-figure sum for the video.

The alleged Rob Ford crack video came to light after an article published Thursday on Gawker. Writer John Cook said he was approached by a tipster claiming to possess the video of the conservative mayor smoking crack. The tipster added that Ford buys drugs from a high-profile crew of Toronto drug dealers.

To bolster the claim, the tipster sent a picture allegedly showing Ford hanging out with a group of young black men. One of the, 21-year-old Anthony Smith, would later be killed outside a Toronto nightclub in a gangland-style shooting.

The photo appears blurry and taken in the dark, but Gawker compared it to another photo of Rob Ford from the National Post where he is wearing the same sweatshirt. The two appears to be the same.

Cook flew to Toronto to meet the tipster. Though he and the publication balked at the sum they were asking for it, the tipsters did show it to him.

Cook said the Rob Ford crack video seemed legitimate. He wrote:

“Here is what the video shows: Rob Ford, the mayor of Toronto, is the only person visible in the frame. Prior to the trip, I spent a lot of time looking at photographs of Rob Ford. The man in the video is Rob Ford. It is well-lit, clear. Ford is seated, in a room in a house. In one hand is a a clear, glass pipe. The kind with a big globe and two glass cylinders sticking out of it. In the other hand is a lighter.”

The tipster also showed the Rob Ford video to two Toronto Star reporters. They agreed that video appeared to show Ford sitting in a well-lit room smoking from a glass pipe as he spoke almost incoherently about Canadian politics.

The Star also turned down purchasing the alleged Rob Ford crack cocaine video.

Soon after that a lawyer retained by Ford, Dennis Morris, called Gawker’s report “false and defamatory.” He added that by viewing a video it is impossible to tell what a person is doing.

Both Gawker and the Star noted that there was no way to verify the video.

A representative from the mayor’s office refused to comment on the alleged Rob Ford crack video, hanging up on a reporter who asked about it.

Rob Ford Crack Video: Toronto Mayor Reportedly Caught On Tape Using Drugs is a post from: The Inquisitr

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards are preparing for landing.

Without question, one of the most highly anticipated events on the industry’s calendar, the line-up of artists performing and also nominated this year should whet most music lovers’ appetites whatever their persuasion.

Billboard has now released its confirmed slate of artist collaborations and solo artists for the event.

So, to the solo performances:

Justin Bieber will perform “Take You” at the show. A mid-tempo, modern R&B favorite with crowds on his Believe tour.

For the past three months, in particular, the Canadian has been in the headlines either for his exploits on the road or his stormy love life.

Having just completed the first leg of a massively successful but controversy-laden tour, the 19-year-old will likely be looking to pull the focus firmly back onto his music.

Shut out of the 55th Grammy Awards this year, the Billboard Music Awards are also the first major awards event this year for Bieber to make his presence felt. The teen is also one of a trio contending for the Chevrolet sponsored Milestone Award.

Another artist with a little something to prove is Chris Brown. The 24-year-old, who recently revealed his upcoming album X (due July 16) will feature a track “They Don’t Know” with vocals from the late Aaliyah, will perform the up-tempo R&B, Michael Jacksonesque “Fine China” at the show.

Selena Gomez will perform the pop single ” Come and Get It” from her upcoming summer album Stars Dance. Currently number 4 on iTunes and scoring top 10 positions in a number of Billboard charts, the actress-singer’s performance this weekend will likely bump those stats.

Swedish DJ pop duo Icona Pop, will perform brassy pop gem “I Love It,” while a Billboard Music Awards debut by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performing hip-hop curiosity”Thrift Shop” is also on the cards.

Miguel is all over the airwaves right now with Mariah Carey on their new single “#Beautiful,” but come Sunday the 27-year-old will unleash neo-classic “Adorn” from his Kaleidoscope album on an no doubt appreciative audience.

Another male solo star who’s been up and down Billboard’s charts for the past year is Bruno Mars, who’ll be bringing the funk to the evening with “Treasure,” a surprising cut from his album Unorthodox Jukebox.

Other solo acts will include Taylor Swift performing “22″ from her album chart slayer Red. Country star Kacey Musgraves is set to unravel “Merry Go Round,” while The Band Perry will deliver “Better Dig Two.”

Grammy Award nominated Brit troubadour Ed Sheeran will unwrap his guitar for “Lego House.” Prince’s song set hasn’t yet been revealed, but seeing as he is Billboard’s Icon Award recipient this year, only the foolish would bet against it being something worth waiting for.

If, for some unfathomable reason, none of the above tickles, it’s unlikely the collaborations will. But, for those who are excited about the team-ups on offer, here they are:

Living up to his promise of “something different” for the show, Bieber and will.i.am will drop electro track “#that power,” while Christina Aguilera, the ubiquitous Pitbull and a special guest will throw down “Feel This Moment.”

French dance titan David Guetta, Ne-Yo and Akon will drop “Play Hard,” while Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull (again) will “Live It Up.” Young Money stars Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne will take to the stage with “High School,” a cut from Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded -The Re-Up.

In just three days, Billboard’s big night touches down and with any luck it will be a riot of music and fun. With over 45 awards to be fought and won, artists from every genre attending, Miley Cyrus, South Korean superstar PSY, Shania Twain, Ke$ha and Hayden Panettiere and more presenting, and Tracy Morgan hosting — this may be one for the ages.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards will air live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on Sunday, May 19 on abc at 8/7 c.

Justin Bieber, Will.I.Am, Miguel, Lopez, Prince: Billboard Music Awards Set List is a post from: The Inquisitr

A man was arrested on Thursday in connection with an Idaho terrorism case. The suspect, an Uzbekistan national, was charged in Idaho and Utah federal courts for allegedly making a bomb, as well as sending money to a terrorist group in his home country.

Fazliddin Kurbanov was living legally in Boise, Idaho when he allegedly made a bomb and supported the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan — a terrorist group, according to the US Department of Justice.

Kurbanov was arrested on Thursday in Boise and later charged in federal courts. A federal grand jury indicted Kurbanov with conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, and possessing an unregistered destructive device.

John Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, stated of the Idaho terrorism arrest:

“Today’s arrest underscores the need for continued vigilance against terrorist threats both at home and abroad. I thank the many agents, analysts and prosecutors responsible for this important investigation.”

Along with the Idaho indictment, a separate federal grand jury in Utah returned an indictment for the Uzbekistan national, charging him with distributing information about explosives, bombs and weapons of mass destruction. Wendy Olson, the US attorney in Idaho, added that Kurbanov is the only person charged.

She added that any potential threat was contained by his arrest, explaining, “He was closely monitored during the course of the investigation. The investigation has been under way for some time.” Olson refused to give out any other information about Kurbanov’s alleged activities.

The US attorney’s office also issued a news release about the Idaho terrorism case, saying that Kurbanov entered the United States legally. It is not clear what his immigration status is.

It is not clear when Kurbanov moved to the United States, or what he did while in Utah and Idaho. The Utah indictment alleges that Kurbanov demonstrated how to make and use explosive devices between January 14 and January 24. That included showing online videos, conduction instructional shopping trips, and providing recipes and tips.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Man Arrested In Idaho Terrorism Case is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Big Bang Theory finale premiered last night on CBS trailing tears, laughs and a huge surprise in its wake.

As promised by Simon Helberg (Howard), the highly anticipated sixth season closer delivered “some exciting, groundbreaking events” designed to ensure the show’s (almost) 20 million viewers return for the recently picked up season seven.

The episode was titled “The Bon Voyage Reaction.”

Previously Helberg told Rolling Stone that Leonard’s shock adventure — a four month boat expedition with Stephen Hawking’s crew in the North Sea — would see “jealous” “nervous” reactions from the rest of the gang. What he didn’t say was who from.

As it turns out, it wasn’t back on again girlfriend Penny who ended up spinning out over Leonard’s trip of a lifetime but (you guessed it) Sheldon.

The show’s seven writers — who also include its creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady— reveled in the opportunity to let Sheldon’s hero worship of Hawking spill out into seething jealousy over Leonard’s big break.

Trying, in vain, to convince his friend that the expedition was dangerous, even fatal, Sheldon (played by Jim Parsons) cited crabs, sharks and drowning as the possible architects of Leonard’s demise.

Sheldon:  ”Who do you think would win in a fight — you or a shark?”

Leonard: “I know what you are doing. You don’t want me going on this research trip because you’re afraid to be alone.”

Sheldon: “I’m not afraid to be alone. On the sea, it would be terrifying. Because of all the drowning”

Rather hilariously, the one thing that did panic Leonard was Sheldon’s blunt suggestion that his going away might change his relationship with Penny.

But in the end it was “Bon Voyage” Leonard. And there were more surprises to come in The Big Bang’s finale.

Audiences have watched Rajesh Koothrappali whisper in Howard’s ear around women for six seasons, only speaking to them after downing much alcohol. But last night it was ‘hello talkative Raj’ as he chatted with Penny for the very first time as they consoled each other over his liaison with Lucy and Penny’s tears over Leonard’s absence.

It was a big moment for not only Raj but for the series and it certainly changed the dynamic of the group as girls in the group soon realized they couldn’t shut Raj up.

What did you think of The Big Bang Theory last night? Did it live up to previous finales?

‘The Big Bang Theory’ Finale Unmutes Raj, Waves Bon Voyage Leonard is a post from: The Inquisitr

Venezuelans have been hit by a chronic toilet paper shortage that has emptied supermarket shelves empty and seen long queues for a few remaining rolls.

The south American country has grown accustomed to short supplies of basic foodstuffs like butter, milk, cornmeal and coffee, but this latest deprivation is hitting the populace hard.

When the rare new stocks arrive panicked householders attempt to hoard toilet paper as the desperate situation continues.

Sky News reports one 70-year-old woman said she had been trying for two weeks to find toilet rolls before she finally located a few in a supermarket in Caracas.

Maria Rojas said: “Even at my age, I’ve never seen this.”

Another householder, Maria Perez, said: “Here there’s a shortage of everything – butter, sugar, flour.” Then, added: “There always used to be toilet paper.”

Economists aboard say Venezuela’s shortages are caused by a combination of price controls meant to make basic goods available to the poorest and also due to the government’s controls on foreign currency.

Steve Hanke, professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University, explained to CBS News.

“State-controlled prices — prices that are set below market-clearing price — always result in shortages. The shortage problem will only get worse, as it did over the years in the Soviet Union.”

Many Venezuelan factories function at half capacity because currency controls introduced a decade by the former and now deceased president Hugo Chavez, make it difficult for factory-owners to pay for imported materials and parts.

But the embattled socialist government now led by President Nicolas Maduro — chosen by the dying Chavez to continue his “Bolivarian revolution” — says that anti-government forces, some coming from the private sector, are behind the shortages.

Their reason? Destabilizing the country.

To cope with the dire emergency, Maduro’s government has agreed to import an extra 50 million toilet rolls.

Commerce Minister Alejandro Fleming said “excessive demand” for rolls had built up because of a “media campaign that has been generated to disrupt the country.”

The minster said monthly consumption of toilet paper was usually 125 million rolls, but said current demand indicated 40 million more were needed.

“We will bring in 50 million to show those groups that they won’t make us bow down,” he added.

Meanwhile, until these vital supplies arrive people are running out of patience as well the few toilet rolls some have managed to find. Last month, Venezuela’s scarcity index rose to its highest level since 2009, while the 12-month inflation rate has soared to nearly 30 percent.

Venezuela Toilet Paper Shortage, Government Claims Conspiracy is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Aretha Franklin American Idol blooper had people wondering if the 71-year-old Queen of Soul blabbed the spoiler in the final battle between Candice Glover and Kree Harrison. At the very least, Franklin made it obvious who she voted for: “Candice, tonight you’re a winner. Win or lose, you are a winner. You and Kree both have promising careers.”

Even with the last second mention of Kree, poor Ryan Seacrest had to blink at Franklin’s comment. He tried to joke it off, asking “You don’t have the results do you? Just making sure. What would we do with the rest of the time?”

But Aretha Franklin didn’t quite take the hint that she may have blurted out the possible  American Idol spoiler. “I do” have the results, she said, cutting off Seacrest’s stammering.  Then she finally remembered to add that she wouldn’t reveal them.

Oops. She kinda, sorta already had.

But it was deniable enough that fans of Kree Harrison could still enjoy a brief moment of suspense for a little while longer.

Franklin performed a medley of hits from her New York studio — with five Idol finalists including Glover herself singing in the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre.

So you could equally well read Aretha Franklin’s enthusiasm for Candice Glover as her appreciation of a new up-and-coming performer that she’d actually worked with.

A couple of observations from Twitter on the Queen of Soul’s American Idol appearance:

Good job American Idol! You get Aretha Franklin to do a medley of her greatest hits, then you follow her with…. Pitbull.

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) May 17, 2013

Aretha Franklin is so legendary that she can Skype her performance. #ArethaOnIdol

— AREEV (@areevLTL) May 17, 2013

This season of American Idol has also featured the controversial Nicki Minaj, another star who sometimes might blab a little too much.

Did you figure out Candice Glover had won American Idol after Aretha Franklin’s comment?

[Aretha Franklin photo by Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]

Aretha Franklin Kind Of Blabs ‘American Idol’ Spoiler is a post from: The Inquisitr

Soap actor Dylan Patton was recently charged with selling cocaine.

Patton, whose TV credits include Days of Our Lives and an episode of That’s So Raven, was allegedly selling the drug out of his home in Agoura Hills. He was later arrested for the crime.

Authorities told TMZ that an undercover officer caught Patton in the act not too long ago. He was taken into custody on Tuesday (May 14) for peddling the substance. The soap actor was later charged with felony possession of cocaine with the intent to sell.

Although it’s being reported that Sheriff’s deputies found the illegal substance inside his residence, it’s unclear just how much they confiscated during the search.

A spokeswoman for Los Angeles County prosecutors said Dylan Patton was charged with the crime on Thursday. He is reportedly still in jail as of this writing. The actor’s bail was set at $30,000.

If the soap actor is convicted of selling cocaine out of his home, then he could face up to nine years in prison. It’s currently unknown if he has managed to obtain legal representation.

Dylan Patton is best known for his portrayal of Will Horton on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. The actor appeared on the long-running daytime drama from February of 2009 until January of 2010. During his time on the show, Patton worked on nearly 100 episodes.

Prior to landing the role on Days of Our Lives, Patton appeared in a number of low-budget motion pictures. The actor’s credits include director Lorraine Senna’s Paradise, Texas, the family drama Sheeba with Edward Asner, and the 2009 action thriller First Strike.

Two years after his appearance on That’s So Raven, Patton landed a one-off role in the crime drama Cold Case. He would find his way onto Days of Our Lives two years later.

What do you think about the soap actor who was recently charged with selling cocaine out of his home?

[Image via Shutterstock]

Soap Actor Charged With Selling Cocaine is a post from: The Inquisitr