Cosby sexual assault charge motivated by politics: lawyer
(Reuters) – Comedian Bill Cosby’s lawyer characterized the sexual assault case against him as a “political football” and said on Thursday the entertainer will not consider any plea deals because he is not guilty of a crime.
U.S. warily eyes New Year’s threats in cities abroad
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. authorities are monitoring investigations overseas of alleged plots by Islamic State operatives or sympathizers to launch attacks over the New Year’s holiday period, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
U.S. Justice Department probes Blue Bell over listeria contamination: WSJ
(Reuters) – Blue Bell Creameries is being probed by the U.S. Department of Justice over listeria contamination of its ice cream that was linked to three deaths, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Chicago mayor plans changes to police policy after deadly shootings
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chicago police will get new equipment and training to defuse tense situations and limit use of lethal force, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said on Wednesday, following weeks of protests calling for him to resign over his handling of fatal poli…
San Bernardino shooter’s visa file raised no red flags: U.S. government sources
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – State Department visa officers conducted all required security checks on Tashfeen Malik, one of two shooters in the San Bernardino massacre early this month, but found no “derogatory” information before granting her a visa to ent…
Neighbor of San Bernardino gunman indicted on terrorism charge
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A former neighbor who prosecutors say supplied assault rifles to the couple who massacred 14 people at a county office building in San Bernardino, California, was indicted on Wednesday on charges of conspiring to provide materia…
Deep snow in California mountains offers hope in drought
PHILLIPS, Calif. (Reuters) – A cold, wet start to California’s winter has dumped nearly five feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, state water experts said Wednesday, fueling hope that 2016 will bring enough precipitation to help offset four yea…
Woman accused of plowing car into Las Vegas crowd had used marijuana: prosecutor
(Reuters) – An Oregon woman accused of plowing her car into a crowd on a Las Vegas Strip sidewalk, killing one person and injuring dozens, had marijuana in her system following the incident, county officials said on Wednesday.
Mother of ‘affluenza’ teenager deported to Los Angeles: Mexico official
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The mother of wanted Texan teenager Ethan Couch who fled with her son to Mexico, has been deported from the country on a flight to Los Angeles, a Mexican immigration official said on Wednesday.
Bill Cosby charged with felony sexual assault in Pennsylvania
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Reuters) – Bill Cosby was charged on Wednesday with sexually assaulting a woman after plying her with drugs and alcohol in 2004, marking the only criminal case against the once-beloved performer whose father-figure persona has been tai…
