U.S. tax committees to question IRS chief over audits of ex-FBI officials

U.S. tax committees to question IRS chief over audits of ex-FBI officials

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) – U.S. tax commissioner Charles Rettig will face questions from legislators over how two former FBI officials vilified by former President Donald Trump were targeted for intensive tax audits, lawmakers and the Internal Revenue Service said on Monday. The Senate Finance Committee will hold a closed-door hearing on July 26 into … Read more

R. Kelly fan charged with threatening prosecutors ahead of singer’s sentencing

R. Kelly fan charged with threatening prosecutors ahead of singer's sentencing

NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) – An Illinois man has been arrested on charges he threatened the prosecutors who won the conviction of R. Kelly on sex trafficking charges, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said on Monday, two days before the R&B singer’s sentencing. Christopher Gunn, 39, allegedly live-streamed a video on YouTube last October in … Read more

U.S. Supreme Court takes aim at separation of church and state

U.S. Supreme Court takes aim at separation of church and state

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) – The conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court has chipped away at the wall separating church and state in a series of new rulings, eroding American legal traditions intended to prevent government officials from promoting any particular faith. In three decisions in the past eight weeks, the court has ruled against government officials … Read more

Ghislaine Maxwell reported jail staff threatened her safety, prompting suicide watch

Ghislaine Maxwell reported jail staff threatened her safety, prompting suicide watch

NEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) – Ghislaine Maxwell reported Brooklyn jail staff threatened her safety, prompting employees to place her on suicide watch, prosecutors said on Sunday, arguing there was no need to delay her sentencing on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell, 60, is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday for her December conviction for helping … Read more

Oslo gay bar shooting won’t stop fight for equal rights, Norway’s prime minister says

Oslo gay bar shooting won't stop fight for equal rights, Norway's prime minister says

OSLO, June 26 (Reuters) – The deadly rampage by a gunman at a gay bar and another venue in central Oslo on Saturday will not put an end to the fight for the rights of all individuals to live a free and safe life, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Sunday. Police on … Read more

Crypto contagion fears spread after Celsius Network freezes withdrawals

Crypto contagion fears spread after Celsius Network freezes withdrawals

WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) – Bitcoin fell as much as 14% on Monday after major U.S. cryptocurrency lending company Celsius Network froze withdrawals and transfers citing “extreme” market conditions, in the latest sign of the financial market downturn hitting the cryptosphere. The Celsius move triggered a slide across cryptocurrencies, with their value dropping below $1 … Read more