Supreme Court rejects constitutional challenge to death penalty
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear an appeal asserting that the death penalty violates the U.S. Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment filed by a Louisiana man convicted of fatally shooting his pregnant form…
U.S. top court to hear State Farm case over Hurricane Katrina fraud claim
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear an appeal by State Farm contesting a jury finding that the insurance company defrauded the federal government when assessing damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 along the Gu…
Native Americans move to frontlines in battle over voting rights
BELCOURT, North Dakota (Reuters) – Elvis Norquay, a member of the Chippewa Indian tribe, has lived most of his 58 years on North Dakota’s remote Turtle Mountain reservation and says he’s never had a problem voting.
State lawmakers override bill veto to ease Chicago pension payments
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago will be able to spread out state-mandated higher payments to its police and fire pensions after the Illinois Legislature on Monday overrode the governor’s veto of a bill that became entangled in a political impasse.
Bodies of U.S. climbers left on Tibetan peak out of respect
KATHMANDU (Reuters) – The bodies of two renowned U.S. climbers, found in Tibet 16 years after they died on one of the world’s tallest mountains, have been left untouched out of respect, one of the mountaineers who found the remains said on Monday.
Ohio zoo defends safety where boy climbed barrier and gorilla died
CINCINNATI (Reuters) – The director of the Cincinnati Zoo insisted on Monday that a three-foot (one-meter) barrier around the gorilla enclosure was adequate, even though a 4-year-old boy was able to climb over it and fall in, forcing zookeepers to shoo…
Transgender man dies after assault at Vermont homeless shelter
(Reuters) – A transgender male died from injuries sustained in an assault at a homeless encampment in Vermont, about a week after police found him lying on the ground with head trauma, officials said.
Sept. 11 suspects’ treatment a focus in Guantanamo hearing
FORT MEADE, Md. (Reuters) – A pre-trial hearing for five Sept. 11 suspects began on Monday at Guantanamo Bay, with prisoners’ treatment expected to be a focus of the U.S. military court sessions.
White House back to normal after security lockdown
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A brief, partial lockdown at the White House was lifted on Monday after a metal object tossed over the fence was tested and determined not to be dangerous, the U.S. Secret Service said.
Suspected shark attacks in Florida, California over holiday weekend
(Reuters) – Two people were injured in suspected shark attacks in Florida and California over the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, but beachgoers returned to nearby ocean waters on Monday, officials said.
