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They are often depicted as dim-witted evolutionary losers, but Neanderthals were not driven to extinction by their lack of brains, a new study suggests. Instead, it is more likely that they disappeared 40,000 years ago because of interbreeding and assimilation with our early modern human ancestors, scientists believe. An analysis of archaeological evidence dating back 200,000 years strips away some of the myths surrounding Neanderthals and reveals they were more advanced and sophisticated than has widely been thought. Why did Neanderthals go extinct? It's often thought their lack of intelligent ultimately led to their demise, but new research suggests it...

“Your father’s coming to see you,” Ann Dunham told her ten-year-old son Barack Obama, Jr. before a month-long Obama Sr. Christmas visit in 1971, as narrated in Dreams from My Father. Obama Sr.'s Hawaii visit, reportedly part of a "recuperation" after a "bad car accident" in Kenya, included "drives" around "the island," "short walks past" "the remodeled hospital where [Barack Jr.] had been born," and "a talk" to Barack Jr.'s fifth-grade class about "wild animals" that "roamed the plains" of Kenya. And, most importantly, Obama Sr.'s Hawaii visit gave credence that Obama Sr. was, in fact, Barack Jr.'s father. 1....

Spanish historians claim they’ve discovered the 2,000-year-old Holy Chalice, the biblical cup that Jesus Christ used during the Last Supper. Margarita Torres, a medieval history lecturer at León University and Jose Ortiza del Rio, an art historian, penned a new book claiming that years of research has led them to conclude that Christ’s chalice is somehow inside a medieval goblet that has been on display in Spain for 1,000 years, Daily Mail reported. Residing inside the Basilica of San Isidoro, a church in Spain that is located on the site of an ancient Roman temple, the goblet — known as...

Today the Alabama Supreme Court issued its 7-2 decision in the case of McInnish v. Chapman, and the decision goes against plaintiffs Hugh Chapman and Virgil Goode, who were trying to force the Alabama Secretary of State to verify Obama’s eligibility to be on the 2102 Alabama presidential ballot. Larry Klayman was the attorney for the Appellants. The Court’s Majority issued no written opinion, only affirming the lower court decision dismissing the case. Majority decision to affirm, no opinion (Stuart, Murdock, Shaw, Main, Wise) Concurring opinion (Bolin) Concurring opinion (Bryan) Dissenting Opinion (Moore) Dissenting Opinion (Parker) Chief Justice Roy Moore...

<p>Days after House Republicans unveiled a roadmap for an overhaul of the nation’s broken immigration system, one of its backers said legislation is unlikely to pass during this election year.</p> <p>Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said distrust of President Barack Obama runs so deep in the Republican caucus that he’s skeptical the GOP-led House would pass any immigration measure. He said a plan that puts security first could only pass if lawmakers believe the administration would enforce it — an unlikely prospect given Republicans’ deep opposition to Obama.</p>

A small fragment of ancient pottery researchers believe shows the first wine label could prove that the reigns of King Solomon and King David actually occurred. The 10th century BC 'Ophel Inscription' was unearthed last year, and scientists were initially baffled by the bizarre language that was inscribed on the remains of a jug. A new translation reveals the contents of a jar was 'lousy' plonk intended for slaves - and sheds new light on society at the time. The label dates from second half of the 10th Century BC and was discovered in the Ophel area of Jerusalem, south...

For more than two centuries, a dark and sinister secret has laid buried deep within the walls of the ancient Bithynian kingdom. Archaeologists excavating the 2,300-year-old remains of the region in modern-day Bursa, Turkey have uncovered a series of dungeons and tunnels that would have been used to lead prisoners to their death. Inside these dungeons, the researchers also found torture chambers, death pits and even a well covered in what appears to be blood. Archaeologists excavating city walls of the 2,300-year-old region of Bithynia in modern-day Bursa, Turkey, have uncovered a series of dungeons and tunnels. Stock image of...

Dogs and wolves evolved from a common ancestor between 11,000 and 34,000 years ago, according to new research. U.S. scientists said that part of the genetic overlap observed between some modern dogs and wolves is the result of interbreeding after dog domestication and not a direct line of descent from one group of wolves. They believe their research reflects a more complicated history than the popular story that early farmers adopted a few docile, friendly wolves that later became our modern canine companions. Dogs and wolves evolved from a common ancestor between 11,000 and 34,000 years ago but modern canines...

A 10,000-year-old house has been unearthed in Israel, offering what archaeologists say is a fascinating glimpse into human development. The structure, which dates back to the beginning of civilisation, was discovered close to Jerusalem in a region known as the Judean Shephelah. It is the oldest structure yet found in the region and dates back to the period in human history when communities first began to domesticate plants and animals. Work being conducted at the excavation in the Judean Shephelah: A 10,000-year-old house has been unearthed in the dig, offering what archaeologists say is a fascinating glimpse into human development...

NISQUALLY RESERVATION, Wash. - The search is on for more human remains after a dog dragged a human leg home to her owner on Tuesday. The gruesome discovery was made on the Nisqually Reservation, and on Sunday, investigators found even more body parts after one day of searching. 93-year-old Bill Flowers found the leg after his dog Liberty dragged it home, and was standing over it. "I examined it," Flowers said. "I picked it up, and looked at the toes and nothing. None of the leg or foot was damaged - from the knee down it wasn't damaged at all."...

A transgender man is the first in Europe to give birth to a baby after becoming pregnant through a sperm donor. The unidentified man, who was born a woman, delivered the baby boy at home with a midwife in the poor Neukoellin district of Berlin. He insisted on a home birth because he refused to be listed as the mother on any hospital documents - a legal requirement of in Germany. The case in Germany mirrors that of Thomas Beatie in the US, pictured, who has given birth to three children and was the first man to ever give birth...

It might not just be men who are from Mars, claims a new study which suggests that all life on Earth actually began on the red planet. An element believed to be crucial to the origin of life would only have been available on the surface of Mars, it is claimed. Geochemist Professor Steven Benner argues that the 'seeds' of life probably arrived on Earth in meteorites blasted off Mars by impacts or volcanic eruptions. Professor Steven Benner will tell geochemists gathering today at the annual Goldschmidt conference that an oxidised mineral form of the element molybdenum, which may have...

A popular Egyptian belly dancer is getting political and shaking her hips in defiance to President Obama's engagement in her homeland. Sama El Masry struts her stuff in a music video and blasts the President for supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, instead of the more secular freedom fighters. Sama El Masry struts her stuff in a music video and blasts the President for supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, instead of the more secular freedom fighters. Singing in Arabic, with English subtitles, in her diddy she claims Obama has supported terrorists and the footage includes a picture of Obama's face superimposed on the...

The Republican Party was briefly excited by the 2012 presidential bid of ex-pizza magnate Herman Cain, only to see Cain’s candidacy fall apart after revelation of sexual harassment settlements and the tell-almost-all revelations of a mistress jettisoned to make ready for a White House bid. Herman Cain is beating a familiar path, from the Republican presidential trail to Fox News The sponsor content, from Natural Breakthrough Research LLC, promise a “Breakthrough Remedy for ED,” namely the chance to “get your manhood Mojo back for GOOD.” “Yes, we do lose some of ‘it’ as we get older — but right now...

Archaeologists in Jerusalem claim to have uncovered two large buildings fit for a king -- Biblical King David, that is. But not all historians agree; one group even argues that King David was no king at all. Over the past year, archaeologists have excavated a site that they believe to be the fortified Judean city of Shaarayim, where David smote Goliath as described in the Bible. "The ruins are the best example to date of the uncovered fortress city of King David," said professors Yossi Garfinkel of Hebrew University and Saar Ganor, who led the excavations. "This is indisputable proof...

A congressional mistake that could cause nearly 4 million people to be ineligible for federal subsidies in President Obama’s health care law has prompted Massachusetts officials to launch a new effort to try to close the gap. Under what has become known as a “glitch” in Obama’s health plan, eligibility for insurance subsidies will be based on how much it costs workers who buy an individual plan, not the far more expensive family plan. The glitch would affect uninsured spouses and an estimated 460,000 children of workers who cannot afford the family coverage offered through employers. Although that was not...

Mexican drug cartels are recruiting convicts in U.S. prisons to work for them as drug runners, assassins and enforcers when they are released. One prisoner who is nearing the end of a 10-year sentence has said he was approached by Mexican drug gangs who wanted to give him 20kilograms of cocaine to sell when he got out - worth nearly half a million dollars on the street. The prisoner said the Mexican drug gangs are beginning to see American prisons as a 'job fair' that can supply an endless stream of talent in the United States as prisoners are released...

When government officials came to Silicon Valley to demand easier ways for the world’s largest Internet companies to turn over user data as part of a secret surveillance program, the companies bristled. In the end, though, many cooperated at least a bit. Twitter declined to make it easier for the government. But other companies were more compliant, according to people briefed on the negotiations. They opened discussions with national security officials about developing technical methods to more efficiently and securely share the personal data of foreign users in response to lawful government requests. And in some cases, they changed their...

It’s always great to hear old radicals reminiscing about the time they helped undermine America. It’s even better when they have risen to become Secretary of State. With Kerry, America has its own version of Joschka Fischer. The problem is that America didn’t need a Joschka Fischer or a Joschka Kerry. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Guatemala on Wednesday, reminisced about his first trip to Latin America as a U.S. senator back in 1985: “I have been traveling, actually, to Latin America for decades now. I think the...

Jonathan Alter is back on the Obama beat with a new book, The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies, “detailing the backstory of the big events of 2011 and 2012.” Alter, who grew up here, makes no small claims for the book’s importance because its focus, he writes, is on the “most consequential” election of the nine he has covered since graduating from college in 1979. [SNIP] Obviously, Alter’s heart is with Obama and his team of strategists, who won the President a second term despite a miserable economy and evaporating enthusiasm for the hometown boy. “I make no apologies...