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.
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 …
Government shutdown would hit Pentagon civilians – again
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Defense Department will put half its 800,000 civilian employees on unpaid leave next week and halt military activity not critical to national security if Congress fails to resolve a looming funding crisis, Pentagon offic…
New Jersey judge allows same-sex marriage
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New Jersey judge on Friday ordered state officials to allow same-sex couples to marry starting October 21, saying the current civil union system unfairly deprives them of federal benefits available to married couples.
Obama: Government shutdown won’t delay healthcare exchange launch
(Reuters) – President Barack Obama said on Friday that the new state insurance exchanges created by his healthcare reform law will launch as scheduled on Tuesday even if the federal government shuts down due to Republican efforts to defund Obamacare.
Analysis: U.S. farm bill, a year overdue, still rolling on slow track
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The new U.S. farm bill, already a year behind schedule, is on the congressional equivalent of a slow freight train – rolling from acrimony to limbo with a layover in stalemate. And Washington’s disputes over the federal budget an…
Kansas boy charged with murder in house fire that killed mother, sister
WICHITA, Kansas (Reuters) – A 14-year-old Kansas boy was charged on Friday with murdering his mother and younger sister by deliberately setting fire to the family home in Hutchinson, authorities said.
Former bin Laden associate facing U.S. charges seeks UK spy evidence
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – A former London-based associate of Osama bin Laden facing U.S. terrorism charges has asked a judge for authorization to seek testimony from an officer of Britain’s internal spy agency, MI5, which his lawyers claim might …
Former U.S. soldiers charged in plot to kill drug agent, informant
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Two former U.S. soldiers have been extradited to New York to face charges of plotting to murder a U.S. federal drug agent and informant as part of an international drug smuggling operation, authorities said.
Fiscal gridlock may leave Iraqi translators stranded
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Thousands of Iraqis who risked their lives working for the American military and are waiting for special visas to move to the United States could remain in limbo for months because of Congress’ inability to reach a budget agreeme…
