Fiery car crash kills at least five in California
(Reuters) – At least five people were killed in Burbank, California early Saturday morning when a car hit a pillar, burst into flames and trapped them inside, police said.
Drug ‘Molly’ is taking a party toll in the United States
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Artist and therapy student Anna and her friends marked a birthday in New York recently with a familiar ritual: They pumped up the electronic music, danced, and celebrated with a special guest called Molly.
Insight: Largely out of sight, U.S. budget sequester still cuts deep
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Airports have not ground to a halt. Fresh meat has not disappeared from supermarkets and the economy has not slipped back into recession.
Judge allows challenges to Illinois gay marriage ban to proceed
(Reuters) – An Illinois judge on Friday allowed two lawsuits challenging the state’s ban on gay marriage to proceed, possibly setting the stage for state courts rather than the legislature to decide whether same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in …
New Jersey judge allows same-sex marriage; state plans appeal
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New Jersey judge ordered state officials on Friday to allow same-sex couples to marry starting on October 21, saying the current civil union system unfairly deprived them of federal benefits available to married couples.
Bankrupt Stockton, California says has deals with key creditors
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Stockton, California said on Friday it had struck tentative deals opening the door to settlements with two major creditors, and putting the city at the “beginning of the end” of its bankruptcy case.
In big shift, Exxon to provide same-sex marriage benefits
HOUSTON (Reuters) – Exxon Mobil Corp said on Friday it will extend benefits to spouses of its U.S. workers in same-sex marriages, a sweeping reversal by one of the world’s top companies following a landmark Supreme Court ruling in June.
Prosecutors decline to charge man arrested in Dodgers fan stabbing
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – San Francisco prosecutors on Friday declined to file charges against a 21-year-old Northern California man arrested in the stabbing death of a Los Angeles Dodgers fan during a fight after a baseball game, saying he may have ac…
U.S. rights groups urge boycott of Barilla pasta after anti-gay remarks
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. and international gay rights supporters called on Friday for a boycott of Italian pasta maker Barilla, whose chairman said he would never feature a gay family in its advertising.
Gambling pro Archie Karas charged with defrauding casino
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) – World-renowned professional poker player Archie Karas, has been arrested on charges of cheating and defrauding a casino after authorities say he was caught marking cards at a California blackjack table.
