U.S. intelligence chiefs open to new surveillance controls
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers and intelligence chiefs, facing an outcry over the government’s collection of personal communications data, said on Thursday they were open to measures tightening oversight of the government’s sweeping electronic e…
Florida group offers free shotguns and says it finds takers
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) – Hundreds of Florida residents accepted an offer this week for a free shotgun, the director of the Florida branch of the Texas-based Armed Citizens Project.
Nine Chicago gang members face murder, drug charges
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Nine members of a Chicago street gang called the “Hobos” face federal racketeering conspiracy charges stemming from drug sales, robberies and five murders, officials said on Thursday in announcing indictments after a six-year invest…
U.S. Justice Department spent $4.9 million on drones, new rules urged: watchdog
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Justice should develop guidelines on the use of its $4.9 million drone and unmanned aircraft program in the face of privacy concerns, the department’s watchdog said on Thursday.
New delays hit Obamacare rollout before October 1 launch
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government on Thursday announced new delays in rolling out President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform, saying small business and Spanish-language health insurance enrollment services would not begin on October 1 as plann…
Ex-beauty queen pleads to lesser charge in Utah bombing
SALT LAKE CITY (Reuters) – A former Utah beauty queen arrested on suspicion of throwing homemade bombs in a Salt Lake City suburb admitted to a lesser charge on Thursday, and was ordered to perform volunteer work, officials said.
Texas man set to be executed for murder over $100 debt
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – A Texas man who stabbed another man to death when he failed to pay back a $100 debt to an exotic dancer is scheduled to be executed on Thursday.
U.S. sues company over miner’s religious objection to handscan
PITTSBURGH (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania mining company sued by the federal government on behalf of a worker who refused a biometric handscan because he believes in the Bible’s mark of the beast prophecy, said on Thursday that it supports religious freedo…
George Zimmerman’s wife has ‘doubts’ about his innocence: NBC
ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) – The estranged wife of George Zimmerman, the Florida man who was acquitted of murder for the shooting of an unarmed teenager, said in an NBC TV interview on Thursday that she now doubted his innocence after standing by him d…
Montana ex-teacher freed after month in jail for raping student
(Reuters) – A former high school teacher in Montana was released from prison on Thursday after serving just one month for the rape of a 14-year-old student who later killed herself, a corrections department spokeswoman said.