Bill to extend U.S. debt limit clears Senate hurdle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Legislation to extend U.S. federal borrowing authority for a year cleared a critical procedural hurdle in the Senate on Wednesday, moving the measure to a final vote.
1.3 million ‘like’ friendless Michigan boy’s Facebook birthday surprise
(Reuters) – A Michigan mother’s attempt to cheer her 10-year-old son, who suffers from a disorder similar to autism and told her he had no friends, with a Facebook page has won the boy some 1.3 million fans on the social media site by Wednesday.
Kroger accused of being not-so-honest in ‘Simple Truth’ chicken labels
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Kroger Co, the biggest U.S. supermarket operator, faces a lawsuit claiming it deceived consumers by marketing a store brand as humanely raised chicken products when the animals were raised under standard commercial farming.
Kansas House advances bill to deny same-sex couples social services
(Reuters) – Kansas businesses, individuals and government employees could refuse an array of social services and benefits to same-sex couples based on “sincerely held religious beliefs” under a bill approved on Wednesday by state House of Representativ…
U.S. court hears suit to overturn same-sex marriage ban in Texas
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) – Lawyers for two gay couples challenging a Texas constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage told a federal court in opening arguments on Wednesday the measure is an “abhorrent violation of human and (U.S.) constitu…
Judge sets November trial for accused Boston bomber
BOSTON (Reuters) – The accused Boston Marathon bomber will face trial in November, a U.S. judge said on Wednesday, denying a request by Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s attorneys for more time to prepare a defense on charges tied to the largest mass-casualty attack…
Two workers hurt at Tesoro California refinery; unit shut
(Reuters) – Tesoro Corp said two workers were injured following a chemical release at its 166,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Golden Eagle refinery in Martinez, California, on Wednesday.
Judge throws manufacturers a lifeline with asbestos ruling
WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) – A judge who found what he called a “startling pattern” of abuse by plaintiffs’ lawyers may have shifted the landscape of asbestos litigation with a ruling in favor of manufacturers.
One dead, four hurt in New York City bus, truck crash
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A bus driver was killed and four people injured when a New York City bus and a stolen truck collided on Wednesday, slamming into building scaffolding in lower Manhattan, New York officials said.
Rhode Island pension announcement delayed
BOSTON (Reuters) – A press conference at which Rhode Island state and public employee union officials were expected to announce a long-awaited pension reform deal has been postponed indefinitely, a federal mediation agency said on Wednesday.
