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Justice Department says it will end use of private prisons. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates instructed Justice Department officials Thursday to end its use of private prisons.

Justice Department says it will end use of private prisons

(Carolyn Kaster/AP) The Justice Department plans to end its use of private prisons after officials concluded the facilities are both less safe and less effective at providing correctional services than those run by the government. Martin Shkreli Arrested on Fraud Charges. Why one software CEO agreed to meet a patent troll—and then fought it to the end. East Texas judge throws out 168 patent cases in one fell swoop. The most prolific patent troll of last year, eDekka LLC, has had its patent wiped out.

East Texas judge throws out 168 patent cases in one fell swoop

The ruling (PDF) will shut down 168 lawsuits that eDekka filed based on US Patent No. 6,266,674, according to Texas Lawyer, which first reported the ruling. FCC chair: Corporations shouldn't control access to the internet. The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved its strongest set of net neutrality rules yet.

FCC chair: Corporations shouldn't control access to the internet

Prior to the vote, FCC Chair Tom Wheeler pointed to the 4 million comments his agency received from the public throughout the process, using them as an example of why corporations shouldn't dictate access to the internet. "Those 4 million comments also illustrate the importance of an open and unfettered network, and the role it plays as a core of free expression and democratic principles," Wheeler said. "While some other countries try to control the internet, the action that we take today is an irrefutable reflection of the principle that no one, whether government or corporate, should control a free and open access to the internet. " New York appeals court strikes down DOMA. A federal appeals court in New York on Thursday was the nation's second to deem the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

New York appeals court strikes down DOMA

NEW: Gay rights' backers laud the ruling; a conservative leader says it is "judicial activism" A U.S. appeals court rules the federal law defining marriage is unconstitutional The issue is expected to be conclusively decided by the U.S. The 386,000 jobs we didn't know about. When August’s disappointing job totals were released a few weeks ago, it was considered important news.

The 386,000 jobs we didn't know about

With that in mind, this seems like at least as big a story. The government’s estimates of job creation are not particularly accurate, a point that is often made and often ignored. On Thursday morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provided another reminder. The agency said it probably undercounted the extent of job creation between April 2011 and March 2012 by 20 percent.The agency, which issues a much-discussed monthly estimate, also issues regular revisions of those estimates, which regularly receive much less attention.

I'll be your mummy and you be my little kitty cat: Anjana the chimp shows off her parenting skills...with a puma cub. By Mail Foreign Service Updated: 06:51 GMT, 31 August 2009.

I'll be your mummy and you be my little kitty cat: Anjana the chimp shows off her parenting skills...with a puma cub

Google Wants To Bring Free High Speed Internet To A 'City Near You' Says Analyst. Top U.S. colleges to offer free classes online - baltimoresun.com. Preserving Cabrini-Green's images.

Top U.S. colleges to offer free classes online - baltimoresun.com

"That's Why You Don't Have Any Friends." Yesterday, I was at the gym. ...Don't worry.

"That's Why You Don't Have Any Friends."

Islam 'recognizes homosexuality' Homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam, a discussion concluded here Thursday.

Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'

Ex-Mortgage CEO Sentenced to Prison for $3B Fraud. The Agenda Project: Patriotic Millionaires. With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United. A little over a year ago the Supreme Court of the United States made a controversial ruling that says corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited.

With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United

The case known as Citizens United v Federal Election Commission allows corporations to use their general funds to buy campaign ads that was prohibited under federal law, and opened the door for unlimited contributions by corporations as well as unions. The high court cited the 1st Amendment’s guarantee of the right of free speech, and it was the first time a corporate entity was treated like a person. Detractors of the ruling cried foul and correctly pointed out that, “The Supreme Court has handed lobbyists a new weapon. A lobbyist can now tell any elected official: if you vote wrong, my company, labor union or interest group will spend unlimited sums explicitly advertising against your re-election.” British Engineer Designs Own Heart Valve Implant, Saves Own Life. Lives - The Tire Iron and the Tamale.

Mauritanian Islamic leaders ban genital mutilation. Thirty-four renowned Mauritanian religious and national figures this week signed a fatwa banning female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that remains widespread in some parts of the country. Media Centre: Fewer pesticides and higher yields and incomes. Farmers working on a training plot in Senegal. 20 December 2010, Rome - West African farmers have succeeded in cutting the use of toxic pesticides, increasing yields and incomes and diversifying farming systems as a result of an international project promoting sustainable farming practices. Around 100 000 farmers in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal are participating in a community-driven training programme (West African Regional Integrated Production and Pest Management (IPPM) Programme) executed by FAO. Homeless Man Dave Tally Returns Thousands in Lost Cash. Driver thanks man who hit him on purpose.