U.S. appeals court says Utah’s gay marriage ban is unconstitutional
(Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Utah’s ban on gay marriages was unconstitutional, saying a state could not refuse to recognize unions based on the sex of participants.
Maine governor draws hard line on undocumented immigrants
BOWDOINHAM Maine (Reuters) – Maine Governor Paul Lepage has threatened to cut state funding from the General Assistance Program to cities and towns that give aid to undocumented immigrants, a move that highlights increasing national anxiety over immigr…
U.S. company recalls 66,000 wine cork pierces after bottles break
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Massachusetts company is recalling about 66,000 cork-piercing devices because the wine-dispensing systems can break bottles, creating a risk of cuts, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Wednesday.
Chinese millionaire set for lunch with 1,000 homeless in NYC
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A wealthy Chinese businessman who tried to buy the New York Times planned to serve a free lunch to 1,000 homeless people in New York’s Central Park on Wednesday with 250 of them dining in the park’s Loeb Boathouse restaurant.
Closing arguments begin in lurid N.H. murder trial
DOVER New Hampshire (Reuters) – Closing arguments began Wednesday in a New Hampshire murder trial that has riveted the New England state with details of the occult, sadomasochism and romantic betrayal.
Jailed American in Cuba is suicidal, wife and lawyer say
HAVANA (Reuters) – A U.S. foreign aid contractor serving a 15-year prison sentence in Cuba for importing banned Internet technology is increasingly suicidal, his wife and lawyer said on Wednesday.
Senator Cochran defeats Tea Party rival in Mississippi Republican runoff
HATTIESBURG Miss. (Reuters) – Veteran U.S. Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi narrowly defeated challenger Chris McDaniel on Tuesday in a high-profile runoff election that pitted the Republican party’s old guard against its anti-establishment Tea Part…
Seattle Archdiocese to pay $12 million to settle child sex abuse claims: lawyer
SEATTLE (Reuters) – The Archdiocese of Seattle has agreed to pay about $12.125 million to 30 men who alleged they were sexually abused as children and teens at two Seattle-area schools from the 1950s until 1984, their attorney said.
U.S. high court bucks pro-business trend this term
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – With only days remaining in its term, the U.S. Supreme Court is on track to at least partly dispel the impression that it’s pro-business.
Property owners sue Arizona over 2013 wildfire that killed 19 firefighters
PHOENIX (Reuters) – More than 160 property owners affected by an Arizona wildfire that killed 19 firefighters last year have filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that its mismanagement caused lives to be lost and homes and businesses to be destr…
