Critics of Mayor Bloomberg’s latest effort in his health campaign have accused him of using the government to micromanage individual decisions and instituting a “nanny state,” but city officials contend that the obesity issue justifies the ban. The proposal still needs to be approved by the city’s board of health.
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Edwards acquitted on one count, mistrials on 5 charges
Ex-U.S. senator was found not guilty on campaign finance fraud. But the jury was deadlocked on five other counts involving whether he illegally used donor money to hide his pregnant mistress during his presidential run.
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Clinton to Russia: Supporting Syria will lead to civil war
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chided Moscow for backing Syrian President Bashar Assad, even after the massacre of more than 100 people in Houla. Clinton said it will take Russia, which is Syria’s closest ally, to change its stance to end violence.
Court: Unconstitutional to deny gay couples benefits
A three-judge panel says the Defense of Marriage Act denies same-sex partners rights and privileges that heterosexual couples receive. The court, however, did not rule on the law’s more divided issues, such as gay couples right to marry.
New Mexico blaze largest fire in state’s history
The Gila National Forest wildfire has scorched more than 265 square miles and continues to spread. Firefighters are challenged with low humidity, shifting winds and dryness in putting out the wildfire, which is the largest burning fire currently in the country.
Few small businesses claim Obama’s health care tax credit
Of the 4 million potentially eligible companies in 2010, less than 200,000 claimed a health insurance tax credit offered under the president’s health care law. The credit has been criticized for its time-consuming application process and complexity, which Republicans have used to push for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
EPA under Obama softer on oil producers than Bush, data suggests
After studying a decade of enforcement data, The Associated Press has discovered the Environmental Protection Agency has been more lax under President Barack Obama’s administration than it was during the years of Republican President George W. Bush. The agency’s enforcement actions against oil- and gas-producing companies dropped to its lowest point last year.
Quake-prone Italy struggles with building safety
As residents recover from another deadly temblor, geologists blame shoddy construction and a lack of funding for the collapse of structures during the earthquake.
Cuba in Internet isolation despite $70 million plan
More than a year after officials promised an undersea fiber-optic cable for Internet use, online access remains limited and slow. Theories as to why the cable project has been delayed range from the arrests of two senior officials to the Arab Springs revolt.
School coaches autistic youth on job tips, Lady Gaga
Many people afflicted with autism have been marginalized in the past. Therapeutic facilities like the Monarch School are trying to change that by offering students the skills to transition into college and beyond.
Danish police arrest brothers in terror plot
After busting two brothers on a suspected terror attack in Denmark, officials are holding them in pre-trial detention for four weeks.
EU countries losing faith in euro, political project
Citizens from eight EU countries participated in a Pew Research Center survey that indicated a dropping confidence in communal currency and the benefits of being part of integrated economical European bloc.
Robots crawl into human bodies to perform surgery
Snakebots are being used to perform surgery on prostate cancer as well as on hearts and other diseased organs. The snakebots carry tiny cameras, scissors and forceps, but are powered by tethers that humans control. Experts predict these metal crawlers soon will roam the body on their own.
Americans are more gloomy about the economy
Following months of optimism, consumer confidence fell in May, even has gas prices dropped 27-cents per gallon since early April. A private research group is reporting that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 64.9, down from a revised 68.7 in April.
Britain’s Supreme Court to rule on WikiLeaks case
After nearly two years of battles, WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange’s trial has arrived at what could be a turning point. Despite denying various allegations, he so far has refused to go to Sweden, where the charges have been filed.
Computer virus hits Iran, other Middle East states
The virus is capable of eavesdropping via Skype, taking screenshots, logging keystrokes and stealing cellphone data. Cyber security experts say Israel is a suspect in the recent computer virus that rocked Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
Myanmar activist free to travel after 24 years of confinement
Aung San Suu Kyi, democracy activist, visited Thailand on Tuesday as part of her world travels. Suu Kyi, who became well known after a 24-year confinement under Myanmar’s previous government, is scheduled to visit other Asian nations and Europe.
Man barricades self inside crane cab, falls to death
A 44-year-old man slipped from the cab of a crane and fell 150 feet and died. The man, who barricaded himself in the crane’s cab, greased the area surrounding the cab to keep police at bay.
Dallas high schooler engineers candy cannon
A sweet-toothed Texas teen distraught by not receiving candy that was thrown into a pep rally crowd channeled his frustration into creating a launch system for the goodies. The junior has entered his creation in multiple events and has applied for a patent.
Murder suspects escape from jail near Texas state line
Two suspects facing murder charges escaped Monday from an Arkansas jail. The pair sawed through metal bars covering a window, jumped out of the window and scaled a 10-foot razor wire topped fence to freedom.
