Ireland becomes first country to vote in favor of gay marriage

Ireland becomes first country to vote in favor of gay marriage
Ohio patrolman acquitted in 2 deaths amid 137-shot barrage
Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi
Syrian official: Islamic State militants in Palmyra's museum
Fate of U.S. domestic surveillance program uncertain after Senate vote
Ohio officer found not guilty in fatal shooting of two unarmed suspects
In chaos of deadly Texas gang fight, self-defense claims may abound
Fierce gun battle kills 43 in west Mexico cartel territory
Both sides say Irish gay-marriage referedum wins resounding victory
GOP presidential candidate defends Josh Duggar
Senate clears White House-backed trade bill
Moore endures under ‘the mercy of the sky’
L.A. looking to 2016 to end the Bay Area’s lock on California politics

Posted: 23 May 2015 11:05 AM PDT

A referendum marking a dramatic social shift is approved by a landslide, supporters and opponents say

Ohio patrolman acquitted in 2 deaths amid 137-shot barrage

Posted: 23 May 2015 11:38 AM PDT

A patrolman charged in the shooting deaths of two unarmed suspects during a 137-shot barrage of gunfire was acquitted Saturday in a case that helped prompt the U.S. Department of Justice determine the city police department had a history of using excessive force and violating civil rights.

Shi'ite militias advance on Islamic State insurgents near Iraq's Ramadi

Posted: 23 May 2015 07:57 AM PDT

A convoy of Shi'ite Muslim militia and Iraqi army forces set out from a base near Ramadi on Saturday to advance on areas held by Islamic State, a Shi'ite spokesman said, launching a counter-offensive to reverse stunning gains by the jihadi insurgents.

Syrian official: Islamic State militants in Palmyra's museum

Posted: 23 May 2015 11:21 AM PDT

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Islamic State fighters broke into the museum of Palmyra, though a Syrian official said its artifacts have been removed and are safe while the U.S.-led coalition conducted airstrikes on the group's installations near the captured ancient town — the first such reported attack.

Fate of U.S. domestic surveillance program uncertain after Senate vote

Posted: 23 May 2015 08:26 AM PDT

By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate blocked a measure to extend spy agencies' bulk collection of Americans' telephone records early on Saturday, leaving the fate of the program uncertain days before its June 1 expiration. By a vote of 54-45, the Senate failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to advance a bill that would have extended for two months provisions of the "USA Patriot Act" that allow the collection of vast amounts of telephone "metadata." The data collection program, in which the National Security Agency sweeps up vast amounts of Americans' telephone records and business information, was exposed two years ago by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who is now a fugitive in Russia. The vote against the extension came after the Senate narrowly blocked the "USA Freedom Act," a bill that would end the bulk telephone data collection and replace it with a more targeted program.

Ohio officer found not guilty in fatal shooting of two unarmed suspects

Posted: 23 May 2015 11:36 AM PDT

By Aaron Josefczyk and Kim Palmer CLEVELAND (Reuters) - A Cleveland police officer was found not guilty on Saturday in the shooting deaths of an unarmed black man and a woman after a high-speed car chase in 2012, one in a series of cases that have raised questions over police conduct and race relations in the United States. Judge John O'Donnell said Officer Michael Brelo, 31, acted reasonably in shooting the two suspects while standing on the hood of their surrounded car and firing multiple rounds through the windshield. It followed a series of high-profile deaths of unarmed black men in confrontations with police officers, which have prompted sometimes violent demonstrations.

In chaos of deadly Texas gang fight, self-defense claims may abound

Posted: 23 May 2015 08:00 AM PDT

By Jon Herskovitz AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas laws that offer a high degree of protection to those who act in self-defense may make it difficult to prosecute the 170 people jailed for a Sunday motorcycle gang fight that left nine dead, with hundreds of weapons seized by police. Texas allows a person to use deadly force with legal arms in self-defense if they believe such force is immediately necessary to protect against someone using deadly force against them. A person can also claim self-defense to protect themselves if someone is prepared to use force against them for a variety of crimes including aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault or robbery.

Fierce gun battle kills 43 in west Mexico cartel territory

Posted: 23 May 2015 09:00 AM PDT

ECUANDUREO, Mexico (AP) — The latest in a series of clashes between Mexican authorities and a powerful, fast-growing drug cartel turned into the deadliest confrontation in recent memory, with 42 suspected gang gunmen and one Federal Police officer killed during a three-hour firefight at a remote western ranch.

Both sides say Irish gay-marriage referedum wins resounding victory

Posted: 23 May 2015 11:29 AM PDT

The issue attracts sweeping support, advocates and opponents say.

GOP presidential candidate defends Josh Duggar

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Senate clears White House-backed trade bill

Posted: 23 May 2015 01:31 AM PDT

In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation Friday night to strengthen the administration's hand in global trade talks, clearing the way for a highly unpredictable summer showdown in the House.

Moore endures under ‘the mercy of the sky’

Posted: 22 May 2015 12:26 PM PDT

Known as the "tornado alley of tornado alley," Moore, Okla., has been hit by six major tornadoes since 1998. In an adaptation from her new book, "The Mercy of the Sky," Yahoo News correspondent Holly Bailey writes about the emotional toll on her hometown as it waits for the next big storm.

L.A. looking to 2016 to end the Bay Area’s lock on California politics

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When Sen. Barbara Boxer announced on Jan. 8 that she would be retiring after her current term ends in 2016, Democrats in Southern California quietly rejoiced.