Young word nerds face off as U.S. Spelling Bee finals start
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (Reuters) – Forty-five young spellers began facing off on Thursday in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, with tougher rules in place aimed at preventing a third consecutive tie in the long-running contest.
Madoff victims may soon recoup another $247 million
(Reuters) – Nearly 7-1/2 years after Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme was unmasked, the court-appointed trustee recouping money for the swindler’s victims on Thursday sought court approval to free up another $247 million to help cover their losses.
U.S. women get creative in fighting abortion stigma
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – For Amelia Bonow, having an abortion left her relieved that she was not forced to become a mother but, still, she kept her story mostly to herself.
Biotech Regeneron replaces Intel as sponsor of Science Talent Search
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Biotechnology company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc on Thursday became the title sponsor of the most prestigious U.S. science competition for high school students, taking the baton from chipmaker Intel Corp.
Man killed, three hurt in shooting at New York rap concert
(Reuters) – At least one person was killed and three wounded on Wednesday in a shooting during a rap concert in New York city, police said, with screaming concertgoers scattering in a chaotic scene captured on social media.
Ohio legislature votes to allow limited medical marijuana use
CLEVELAND (Reuters) – Lawmakers in Ohio on Wednesday approved legislation that would legalize marijuana use for medical purposes under certain circumstances, less than a year after recreational marijuana use was soundly defeated by Ohio voters.
Hundreds protest in downpour at shut McDonald’s headquarters
OAK BROOK, Ill. (Reuters) – Hundreds of protesters marched through pouring rain to call for higher wages and union rights at McDonald’s Corp on Wednesday, leading the hamburger chain to shut down its headquarters a day before its annual meeting.
Kentucky judge rules Louisville can remove Confederate monument
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) – The city of Louisville, Kentucky, can remove a 121-year-old monument to Confederate soldiers that critics have objected to as an emblem of slavery, a state judge ruled on Wednesday.
Chicago immigrant claims U.S. retaliated over her activism
CHICAGO (Reuters) – A Chicago activist sued U.S. immigration authorities on Wednesday alleging they denied renewal of her immigration status in retaliation for her political activity.
States ratchet up transgender battle with lawsuit against U.S.
(Reuters) – Officials from 11 U.S. states sued the Obama administration on Wednesday to overturn a directive telling schools to let transgender students use bathrooms matching their gender identity, decrying the policy as “a massive social experiment.”…
