Supreme Court rejects constitutional challenge to death penalty

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear an appeal asserting that the death penalty violates the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment filed by a Louisiana man convicted of fatally shooting his pregnant former girlfriend.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1VsV18S

Justice Department asks for hold on court sanctions in immigration case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday filed an emergency motion to stop sanctions imposed by a federal judge in Texas that included mandated ethics classes for federal prosecutors, as part of ongoing litigation over immigration policy.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1VsWU5s

Two U.S. service members injured in Iraq, Syria: Pentagon

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. service members were injured over the weekend, one each in Iraq and Syria, a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1TUBjRl

Florida Man Stung 150 Times Trying to Vacuum Up Bees

He was treated and will be OK.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1RILELy

Trump Called 'Shape-Shifting Lizard' on Hacked Road Sign

Another sign that read "Work Is Canceled — Go Back Home" was also found.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1XbfTU0

Evacuations ordered along Brazos River as historic floods hit Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - Mandatory evacuations were ordered on Tuesday along the swollen Brazos River in Texas ahead of what could be the worst flooding in more than 100 years after at least six people died.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/25yBQkw

U.S. warns citizens of possible terrorist attacks in Europe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department warned Americans on Tuesday of the possible threat of terrorist attacks in Europe this summer, saying targets could include tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/25xf4WL

Paris to Open Refugee Camp as Med Becomes 'Graveyard'

It marks one of the "deadliest periods yet" in the migration crisis, according to the International Organization for Migration.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1UrEXlo

Katy Perry's Twitter, Largest in the World, Gets Hacked

Katy Perry's 89 million followers woke up to a shock following a series of profanity-laced tweets after a hacker took control of the singer's account.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1UrFYtM

State Department Issues New Travel Alert for Europe

The State Department pointed to two events in particular as potential terror targets.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1sYUwZC

Gorilla killing sparks federal negligence complaint against Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Animal rights activists filed a federal complaint accusing the Cincinnati Zoo of negligence in maintaining its gorilla habitat after an ape was killed in order to rescue a boy who had fallen into its enclosure, a spokesman for Stop Animal Exploitation Now said on Tuesday.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1Pg1hj7

ChangeMakers: Meet William 'Billy' Murphy Jr.

In September 2015, Billy Murphy negotiated a $6.4 million civil settlement with city officials on behalf of Freddie Gray's family.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1UaJczj

Judge to consider punishment for Arizona sheriff in racial profiling case

PHOENIX (Reuters) - A federal court judge on Tuesday will consider punishments against Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio, known for his tough immigration stance, for committing civil contempt in a 2007 racial profiling case and ensure the violations do not happen again.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/22vJ7fw

Here's How Mexican Soccer Star Escaped Kidnappers

Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido was able to wrestle one of his kidnappers's gun and cell and called authorities, prompting his safe return home.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1XbA2JJ

ISIS May Be Using 'Human Shields' in Fallujah, U.N. Warns

ISIS may be holding hundreds families to use as human shields in central Fallujah, the U.N.'s warned as U.S.-backed Iraqi forces pushed into the city.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1sICrhC

U.S. top court to hear State Farm case over Hurricane Katrina fraud claim

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear an appeal by State Farm contesting a jury finding that the insurance company defrauded the federal government when assessing damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1XbBwUk

Why Hillary Clinton Needs to Win California

First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/25wBRlz

'Soul Surfer' Bethany Hamilton Beats World's Best in Fiji

Hamilton, 26, who lost her left arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii when she was 13, finished third in the World Surf League's Fiji Women's Pro as a wildcard entry.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1r02VK8

Stephen Hawking Says He's Stumped by Trump's Popularity

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking said Tuesday that the popularity of Donald Trump is beyond even his understanding.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/25wxo29

WHO Issues Stricter Safe-Sex Guidelines to Prevent Zika

The recommendation comes after scientists found the virus lingers longer than previously thought in blood or other body fluids.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1O1pjxZ

Native Americans move to frontlines in battle over voting rights

BELCOURT, North Dakota (Reuters) - Elvis Norquay, a member of the Chippewa Indian tribe, has lived most of his 58 years on North Dakota's remote Turtle Mountain reservation and says he's never had a problem voting.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1P0tViZ

'Exploited': Officials Remove Tigers From Famed Temple

Thailand's world-famous "Tiger Temple" is in disarray after officials descended on the sanctuary amid allegations of abuse.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1O1kEw3

Verizon and Unions Reach Deal to End Seven-Week Strike

A tentative deal between Verizon and leaders of striking unions includes 1,400 new jobs and pay raises topping 10 percent.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1O1nnWc

For men accused of trying to join Islamic State, Minnesota trial nears end

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The federal jury trial of three Somali-American men from Minnesota accused of trying to help Islamic State militants and fight with the group in Syria was nearing its end, with closing arguments set for Tuesday.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1RIovsF

KNOW IT ALL: Tuesday's Top Stories at NBC News

Outrage over the death of a gorilla and a continuation of wicked weather are some of the stories we're following today.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TTLTIi

Historic Floods, Tornadoes Threaten Texas and Plains

Central areas were braced for heavy rain, hail, damaging winds and possible tornadoes Tuesday in severe weather that has already killed eight people.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1O1bYWt

A bar as a national monument? New York's LGBT landmark vies for honor

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York bar known as the birthplace of the gay pride movement could become the country's first national monument honoring LGBT rights under a plan to be considered by President Barack Obama.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1O1fccE

Rapper Pleads Not Guilty to Shooting at T.I. Concert

Rapper Troy Ave — whose real name is Roland Collins — was arraigned on charges including attempted murder.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TTCcth

Go Inside the Lab That Found the Latest Superbug

Deep in the bowels of the Army's showcase medical research institute, scientist-sleuths are trying to find the next big superbug.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1PeTceH

North Korea Missile Launch Has Failed, South Says

North Korea tried but failed to test-launch a mid-range missile early Tuesday, South Korean defense officials said.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1WVWO7r

Husband Beats Wife's Would-Be Rapist to Death: Cops

Police arrested the husband, who fatally beat the 43-year-old man who'd forced his way into the apartment.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1WW29Md

Could the Amish Be Donald Trump's Secret Weapon?

A Donald Trump-supporting super PAC is launching the most ambitious get-out-the-vote efforts aimed at the devout religious sect to date.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1WVY7Dw

Iraqi Forces Push Toward Center of ISIS-Held Fallujah

Iraqi troops continued a multi-pronged offensive on Fallujah, where 50,000 civilians remain trapped, to oust ISIS.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TQND4V

Will a New Candidate Enter the Presidential Race?

After conservative writer Bill Kristol hinted at a possible independent bid, Trump fired off a series of tweets calling him a "dummy" and an "embarrassed loser."

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1PeIswT

College Swim Star Drowns During Lifeguard Test

Jack Jakubek had recently graduated from the State University of New York-Cortland.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TTlPgb

Indonesia Wants to Track Rapists With Implanted Microchips

This plan is seemingly designed to soothe outrage and shore up the government's tough-on-crime bonafides. One major setback? It doesn't make much sense.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1VrLYoH

Sanders Attends Warriors' Win in Search of a Cali Comeback

A Bernie Sanders spokesman playfully noted that the Warriors were down just like Sanders, but on the verge of "a major comeback in California."

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/25vGrjL

Nation's Midsection Prepares for Severe Storms That Killed 9

The forecast came after a "siege of severe thunderstorms" washed out bridges, swamped homes and left at least nine dead in Texas since Friday.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TSWH9n

Warriors Complete Stunning Comeback to Reach NBA Finals

Golden State defied the odds, coming back from 3-1 down in the series to set up an NBA Finals rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1XKNF0J

Warriors Complete Stunning Comeback to Reach NBA Finals

Golden State defied the odds, coming back from 3-1 down in the series to set up an NBA Finals rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TSY2gn

Taxi Jumps Curb, Crashes Into O'Hare Airport

No injuries were reported. Police said the driver is expected to be cited.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1sHIYcn

Protesters Jump Barrier at Sanders Rally

The Secret Service stopped animal rights protesters who crossed a barrier and tried to rush the stage at a Bernie Sanders rally in Oakland, California

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1TTTSWP

Texas Man Kills Girlfriend, Posts Picture on Facebook

After discovering the body of Jennifer Spears, Plano police found that her boyfriend posted one photo of himself on the site and one of Spears' body.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1OZl3tP

Multiple People Killed in I-95 Wreck Near Orlando

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed multiple deaths Monday night on Interstate 95 near Titusville.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1X9TxSR

Transgender man dies after assault at Vermont homeless shelter

(Reuters) - A transgender male died from injuries sustained in an assault at a homeless encampment in Vermont, about a week after police found him lying on the ground with head trauma, officials said.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1RGY3Qe

Wounded Soldier Rebuilds His Life, Then Builds a New One

Evan Cole was supposed to be dead after a bomb shattered him in Iraq. This month, he strode across a to receive a master's degree in architecture.

from NBC News Top Stories http://ift.tt/1XKhWNm

Sept. 11 suspects' treatment a focus in Guantanamo hearing

FORT MEADE, Md. (Reuters) - A pre-trial hearing for five Sept. 11 suspects began on Monday at Guantanamo Bay, with prisoners' treatment expected to be a focus of the U.S. military court sessions.

from Reuters: U.S. http://ift.tt/1UpM4L9