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U.S. tourists freed unharmed in Sinai: security source

Thu, 31 May 2012 14:50:06 GMT

CAIRO (Reuters) - Two U.S. tourists were released unharmed in the Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, security sources said, a day after being abducted by Bedouin tribesmen seeking the release of a kinsman held by the Egyptian authorities in a drugs case.

SpaceX Dragon capsule heading back to Earth

Irene Klotz — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:45:10 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station released Space Exploration Technologies' unmanned Dragon cargo ship on Thursday, one of the final milestones in a pioneering mission for commercial firms seeking a major role in space travel.

Wal-Mart ending membership in conservative group

Jessica Wohl — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:20:06 GMT

ROGERS, Arkansas (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's No. 1 retailer and the biggest seller of firearms in the United States, is dropping out of a U.S. conservative advocacy group that has been a lightning rod over voting and gun laws.

Another massacre could plunge Syria into civil war: Ban

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:34:03 GMT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Thursday that massacres of civilians, such as the one perpetrated in Houla last weekend, could plunge Syria into a devastating civil war.

New York mayor seeks ban on sale of big sugary drinks

Thu, 31 May 2012 11:13:03 GMT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to propose a far-reaching municipal ban on sales of large-size sugary beverages by restaurants, mobile food carts, movie theaters and delis, his administration said on Wednesday.

Gunman kills five people and himself in Seattle rampage

Laura L. Myers — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:21:00 GMT

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A gunman killed four people at a popular Seattle cafe on Wednesday then fled to a downtown parking lot where he killed a fifth person and stole her car before shooting himself in the head as police closed in, authorities said.

U.S. military trainers trickle back into Pakistan

Missy Ryan and Mark Hosenball — Thu, 31 May 2012 06:40:07 GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has sent a handful of military trainers back into Pakistan in a sign the two nations may be able to achieve some low-level cooperation against militants despite a string of confrontations that have left Washington's relations with Islamabad in crisis.

Healthcare costs to rise 7.5 percent in 2013: report

By David Morgan — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:13:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The cost of healthcare services is expected to rise 7.5 percent in 2013, more than three times the projected rates for inflation and economic growth, according to an industry research report released on Thursday.

Syrian honorary consul in California quits

Mary Slosson — Thu, 31 May 2012 03:50:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An honorary consul of Syria in the United States resigned on Wednesday in protest over the killing of more than 100 civilians in the Syrian town of Houla over the weekend that has drawn widespread international condemnation.

Midwest cattle farmers complain of government 'spying'

Kevin Murphy — Thu, 31 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Cattle farmers complained on Wednesday that a federal agency is "spying" on their operations by flying airplanes over Midwest cattle feedlots to see if they are complying with clean water regulations.

Retired justice says campaign finance ruling made cash king

James Vicini — Thu, 31 May 2012 02:42:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens leveled new criticism on Wednesday against the court's landmark 2010 ruling on campaign financing, saying it had allowed corporations to ramp up spending and non-voters to influence the outcome of elections.

Seattle slayings suspect shoots himself as police close in

By Kim Murphy — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:50:00 GMT

SEATTLE — An explosive day of violence ended Wednesday when a man believed to be the one who shot five people in a university district cafe and a woman in a downtown parking lot knelt down in the street when surrounded by police and shot himself in the head.

More killings and ultimatum deepen Syria conflict

Joseph Logan — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:26:00 GMT

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebels on Wednesday gave President Bashar al-Assad a 48-hour deadline to comply with an international peace plan otherwise they would renew their battle to overthrow him.

Suspect in Seattle gun rampage shoots himself

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:58:02 GMT

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A gunman shot three people to death at a popular Seattle cafe on Wednesday then fled to a downtown parking lot where he killed another woman and stole her car before shooting himself in the head as police closed in, authorities said.

Florida woman jailed for firing 'warning shot' at husband to appeal

Amy Wimmer Schwarb — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:58:00 GMT

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Reuters) - A New York attorney well-known for representing battered women in homicide cases is now legal counsel for a Jacksonville woman serving a 20-year sentence for firing a gun in the direction of her husband.

New Mexico wildfire now biggest in state history

Zelie Pollon — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:33:00 GMT

SANTA FE, New Mexico (Reuters) - A wildfire burning out of control in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico is now the biggest in the state's history, officials said on Wednesday.

Wisconsin's Walker widens lead in recall election: poll

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:07:02 GMT

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker widened his lead over Democrat Tom Barrett to 7 percentage points in a new poll released on Wednesday, less than a week before a recall election prompted by Walker's drive to curb labor union power.

National Spelling Bee field dwindles to 50

Lily Kuo — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:39:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two finalists from last year's Scripps National Spelling Bee and the sister of a past champion were among 50 contestants admitted to the semi-final round after a tense day of competition on Wednesday.

Jury ends eighth day of talks in Edwards campaign finance trial

Colleen Jenkins — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:52:00 GMT

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Reuters) - The alternate jurors in former U.S. Senator John Edwards' federal trial learned on Wednesday they could to return to their normal lives as deliberations dragged on about whether the ex-White House hopeful broke the law trying to hide an affair.

Activist sues Sanford over Trayvon Martin public records

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:25:00 GMT

A political activist who's repeatedly asked Sanford to produce public records in the Trayvon Martin shooting – especially police-made videos – on Wednesday sued the city, accusing it of willfully violating the state's public records act. Charles Grapski began making the requests April 3, according to his suit.

Drug LSD may be behind Miami face-eating attack, police say

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:19:00 GMT

MIAMI (Reuters) - A Miami man fatally shot by police after he refused to stop gnawing on another man's face may have been under the influence of a new form of the 1960s hallucinatory drug LSD, a top police officer said on Wednesday.

Italians count human, economic cost of earthquake

Stephen Jewkes — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:03:00 GMT

MIRANDOLA, Italy (Reuters) - Italy raised tax on petrol to help pay for the damage from an earthquake that struck northern Italy as shaken survivors woke up on Wednesday to a landscape of collapsed warehouses and ruined factories.

Six-year-old girl competes in National Spelling Bee

Lily Kuo — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:05:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A 6-year-old girl became the youngest participant ever to compete in the preliminary round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, getting off to a successful start by spelling "dirigible."

Obama congratulates Romney on nomination in 'brief and cordial' call

By Kathleen Hennessey — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:46:00 GMT

WASHINGTON -- In keeping with tradition and good manners, President Obama called Mitt Romney Wednesday to congratulate him on winning the delegates needed to secure the GOP nomination.

Jury deliberates 8th day in Edwards campaign finance trial

Colleen Jenkins — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:39:00 GMT

GREENSBORO , N.C., May 30 (Reuters) - A North Carolina jury on Wednesday commenced its eighth day of deliberations into whether former U.S. Senator John Edwards violated federal election laws while trying to conceal his pregnant mistress during his 2008 presidential campaign.