Nobel medal for DNA discovery brings more than $4.7 million at auction
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Nobel Prize gold medal awarded to the U.S. scientist and co-discoverer of DNA, James Watson, sold at auction on Thursday for more than $4.7 million, smashing the world record price for any Nobel prize.
Boehner vows to avoid government shutdown with help from Democrats
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Overriding objections from some conservative Republicans, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner vowed on Thursday to plow ahead with a spending bill that averts a government shutdown while keeping some budget “leverage” over President …
New Jersey panel finds no evidence governor involved in lane closures
(Reuters) – A New Jersey panel investigating lane closures to the George Washington Bridge last year, which sparked a political firestorm, said in an interim report it had found no evidence that Governor Chris Christie was involved, local media reporte…
China defends Confucius Institute after new doubts in U.S.
BEIJING (Reuters) – China defended its government-funded Confucius Institute programs on Friday after new questions were raised in the United States about their transparency and effect on academic freedom.
Phoenix police officer shoots dead unarmed black man during scuffle
(Reuters) – A Phoenix police officer shot to death an unarmed black man during a struggle and authorities said the officer believed the individual had a gun, in the latest fatal incident amid national turmoil over the policing of black communities.
Starbucks debuts high-end Reserve roastery and cafe in Seattle
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Starbucks Corp Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz, who introduced Americans to espressos, Frappuccinos and pumpkin spice lattes, is not about to let a bunch of well-funded independent coffee sellers beat his global chain at the …
Manhunt under way for Florida man suspected in triple homicide
TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) – A search was under way on Thursday for a man suspected in the fatal shooting of a pastor at a Florida church, as well as the murders of his wife and another woman at a nearby home, by authorities investigating a triple homicide …
U.S. couple released by Qatar in child death return to Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – An American couple convicted and later cleared of wrongdoing in the death of their adopted African-born daughter in Qatar returned to Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, a family spokesman said on Twitter.
Illinois asks high court for pension law hearing as soon as January
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois’ top attorney asked the state supreme court on Thursday to put constitutional challenges to a pension reform law on the fast track by scheduling oral arguments as soon as Jan. 22 and no later than March 10.
California man whose wrongful conviction inspired Asian-American movement dies
(Reuters) – A Korean-American man who was wrongfully convicted of a 1973 gang murder in San Francisco and whose case inspired Asian-Americans of all backgrounds to mobilize for his freedom has died at age 62, friends said on Thursday.
