Monster wave surf competition launches off California coast
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – An international big wave surf competition in northern California kicked off with 50-foot waves on Friday after concerns winds would force the cancellation of the event which draws tens of thousands of fans.
Colombian drug kingpin, ‘Diego Rastrojo’ pleads guilty in Miami
MIAMI (Reuters) – One of Colombia’s top former drug traffickers, Diego Perez Henao, pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 80 tons of cocaine into the United States over the course of almost two decades, according to federal prosecutors in Miami.
At least five dead in fire at house in rural Iowa
(Reuters) – At least five people died in a fire that destroyed a house in rural northeast Iowa on Friday morning, authorities said.
Women in Maryland ‘demon’ slaying to be mentally evaluated
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (Reuters) – A Maryland woman accused of murdering her two toddlers, who she believed had been possessed by demons, and another woman also charged in the murders will undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine whether they are compe…
Zimmerman painting of prosecutor copied agency photo, AP says
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A painting by George Zimmerman of the Florida attorney who prosecuted him in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin is a copy of an Associated Press photo, a spokesman for the news agency said on Friday.
Hagel ‘deeply concerned’ about health of U.S. nuclear forces
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday he was “deeply concerned,” over the health of U.S. nuclear forces after the drug and cheating scandals this month, and that some nuclear officers felt their mission was taken for grant…
Texas judge declares pregnant woman dead, orders life support removed
FORT WORTH, Texas (Reuters) – A Texas judge on Friday ordered a Fort Worth hospital to remove a brain-dead pregnant woman from life support, after her husband argued the fetus she has been forced to carry under state law is withering in her debilitated…
U.S. man gets probation in celebrity iPad hack attack
NEWARK, New Jersey (Reuters) – A San Francisco man was sentenced to three years’ probation on Friday for stealing the personal information of some 120,000 Apple iPad users, including big-city mayors, a TV network news anchor and a Hollywood movie mogul…
Florida marijuana petition meets criteria for November ballot
TALLAHASSEE (Reuters) – A petition drive to allow medical use of marijuana by patients with a debilitating disease cleared a major hurdle on Friday, surpassing the number of signatures needed for a spot on Florida’s election ballot.
U.S. announces new rule for improving rail safety standards
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. regulators on Friday announced a new rule intended to improve railway safety and lower the risk of derailments, in part by requiring more frequent track inspections and prompt repairs when flaws are detected.
