New York settles with sellers of 'fake' online followers, 'likes'

New York's attorney general on Wednesday said she has resolved a probe into a group of Colorado companies that once sold fake followers, "likes" and views on social media platforms, in the first U.S. settlement to deem such sales illegally deceptive.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2Bes5gv

U.S. lawmakers urge Pentagon to revise climate change report

Three Democratic U.S. lawmakers, including the House armed services committee chairman, on Wednesday urged the Pentagon to revise a report on climate change, saying it omitted required items such as a list of the 10 most vulnerable bases.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2RYnlWS

Elephant seals take over California beach during U.S. shutdown

A herd of elephant seals took over a popular California beach while it was closed during the federal government shutdown and the animals show no sign of wanting to leave.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2WuTjZ8

Chicago police to release images after attack on 'Empire' actor

Chicago police said on Wednesday they would soon release images of "persons of interest" in the assault of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett in which two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs and wrapped a rope around his neck.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2CUxCZz

Texas executes man for killing police officer in botched 1988 robbery

The state of Texas on Wednesday executed a man convicted of shooting a Houston police officer to death during a botched robbery of an adult book store in 1988, the state's Criminal Justice Department said.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2CTOPCE

U.S. safety board opens probe into deadly Florida highway crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Wednesday it would send a team of eight to probe a deadly Jan. 3 crash in Florida that killed seven, including five children traveling to Disney World.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2WyeYjt

Youngest member of murderous Manson 'family' again recommended for parole

The California parole board recommended on Wednesday that Leslie Van Houten, the youngest of Charles Manson's murderous "family" of followers, be released early from the life prison term she is serving for her role in the cult's 1969 killing spree.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2TiN2Oi

'El Chapo' must not 'escape' again, U.S. prosecutor tells jury

Accused Mexican drug boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's repeated escapes from the law prove that he "knows he's guilty," a U.S. prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments at his trial on Wednesday, urging them not to let him escape again.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2RsziyK

Utah man sues Gwyneth Paltrow for alleged ski slope 'hit and run'

A Utah man has sued Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow for $3.1 million, claiming she slammed into him on a ski slope in 2016, breaking four of his ribs and knocking him unconscious before skiing off.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2HE0dbq

U.S. private payrolls rise strongly; housing market struggling

U.S. private payrolls increased solidly in January, pointing to sustained labor market strength despite a recent easing in consumer and business confidence that has suggested a loss of momentum in the economy.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2Wsk7JC

Father of Saudi sisters found dead in New York rejects suicide finding

The father of two young Saudi women whose bodies were found bound together in New York last October has dismissed a police assessment that they committed suicide and said marks he saw on their faces indicate they were beaten before their deaths.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2MEK8RB

Tyson recalls chicken nuggets on possible rubber contamination

Tyson Foods Inc is recalling some chicken nuggets it manufactured because of possible contamination with rubber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said late on Tuesday.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2GcCkVK

New Mexico governor moves to limit methane emissions, combat climate change

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday ordered state officials to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from its oil and gas industry and separately rollback statewide greenhouse gas output over the next decade.

from Reuters: U.S. https://reut.rs/2RWlwJH