Explosion levels home in Chicago suburb, no serious injuries
(Reuters) – An explosion possibly caused by a gas leak destroyed a house in a Chicago suburb and damaged up to 30 other homes on Friday night but did not leave anyone seriously hurt, a local sheriff’s official said.
Obama reminds North Korea of U.S. ‘military might’
SEOUL (Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Saturday the United States did not use its military might to “impose things” on others, but that it would use that might if necessary to defend South Korea from any attack by the reclusive North.
South Carolina town rallies ’round fired gay police chief
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) – A one-square-mile South Carolina town with four traffic lights is challenging the mayor’s power to strip its lesbian police chief of her badge in what supporters are calling a case of workplace discrimination.
Homeland Security struggles to tempt, retain cyber talent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In the race to attract cybersecurity experts to protect the government’s computer networks, the Department of Homeland Security has a handicap money can’t fix.
Detroit retiree committee reaches deal on pensions, healthcare
(Reuters) – A committee created by a U.S. bankruptcy court to represent Detroit’s retired workers said on Friday it reached an agreement in principle with the city over pensions and healthcare, potentially giving the city a key ally.
Pennsylvania parents to keep twins conjoined
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania couple has decided not to split their newborn conjoined twins, local news outlets said, citing the high risk of surgery for the boys.
One dead, six injured after SUV plows into line outside California ice cream shop
(Reuters) – An elderly woman was struck and killed and six others were injured on Friday when an SUV plowed into customers standing outside a southern California ice cream shop, authorities said.
Alaska Supreme Court says tax exemptions cannot be denied to gay couples
JUNEAU, Alaska (Reuters) – Same-sex couples in Alaska must receive certain property tax exemptions given to married couples, despite a ban on gay marriage, the state Supreme Court ruled on Friday.
Witness in U.S. Army hearing over Iraq shootings says he kept silent out of fear
TACOMA, Washington (Reuters) – A former U.S. soldier testifying at the pre-trial hearing of a comrade charged with killing two unarmed Iraqi boys in 2007 said on Friday that he didn’t report the killings at the time because he feared retribution and di…
U.S. wins $1.2 million penalty against bank for aiding payday loans
(Reuters) – A U.S. court on Friday ordered North Carolina’s Four Oaks Bank to pay a penalty of $1.2 million over claims it failed to protect consumers’ bank accounts in a win for federal prosecutors investigating banks doing business with payday lender…