U.S. allows limited exceptions to ivory ban for instruments, art
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government on Thursday took steps to allow limited exceptions to its broad prohibition on the commercial trade in elephant ivory, exempting certain older musical instruments with ivory components as well as ivory in muse…
Nextdoor CEO Tolia faces lawsuits over hit-and-run accident
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia, whose social networking website espouses neighborhood safety and community, is facing civil and criminal charges for leaving the scene of a highway accident that a driver says he caused.
Ex-U.S. air marshal pleads no contest to taking unlawful photos
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) – A former federal air marshal who was accused of using his cell phone to take pictures up the skirts of women as they boarded a flight at a Nashville airport last October pleaded no contest and was found conditionally gu…
U.S. appeals court stays ruling overturning Idaho gay marriage ban
SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) – A U.S. appeals court on Thursday put on hold a federal judge’s ruling that overturned Idaho’s ban on gay marriage so it could consider motions for a longer stay, blocking same-sex nuptials a day before they would otherwise hav…
New Maryland law makes transgender discrimination illegal
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Reuters) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on Thursday signed into law a bill banning discrimination against transgender people, the latest in a series of progressive measures approved by the Democrat.
Arkansas judge strengthens ruling striking down gay marriage ban
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuters) – An Arkansas judge who struck down the state’s ban on same—sex marriage strengthened his decision on Thursday, re-authorizing gay and lesbian weddings after confusion over his original order had prompted their suspension for several hours.
N.Y. lawmakers consider ban on gay ‘conversion therapy’ for minors
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York lawmakers on Thursday heard testimony on a bill that would ban licensed therapists from counseling gay and lesbian minors to change their sexual orientation, amid a growing wave of backlash against the practice.
Accused Boston bomber’s friend suspected guilt, agent says
BOSTON (Reuters) – A friend of the accused Boston Marathon bomber grew suspicious that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev had carried out the attack when he threw away a backpack and laptop he had removed from the suspect’s dorm room, a federal agent testified on Thurs…
Federal judge upholds D.C.’s gun law
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. federal judge on Thursday upheld a Washington D.C. gun law that bans assault weapons and requires owners of other firearms to follow certain registration requirements, including that they pass a test and safety course.
Texas woman, 31, arrested for posing as high school teenager
(Reuters) – A 31-year-old woman has been arrested after several months posing as a teenage student at a private high school in Texas, local media reported.
