The Other Side of Life 24/7: U.S. Top News: Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

U.S. Top News: Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship

Click to View in Browser

10/17/2012

Reuters Election 2012 Daily round-up of the day's top news from the campaign trail, the White House and all the politics in between

Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship

(Reuters) - Lance Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of the cancer charity he founded, Livestrong, after U.S. anti-doping officials issued a scathing report detailing his use of performance-enhancing drugs for years as one of the world's premier cyclists, the foundation said on Wednesday.

U.S. holiday spending to show a scant rise in 2012: survey

(Reuters) - Consumers plan to spend an average of $749.51 on gifts, decorations and other holiday items this season, a mere 1.2 percent more than a year ago, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation.

Poll shows New Jersey Governor Christie beating potential challengers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie enjoys a 56 percent approval rating and is positioned to edge out a Democratic challenger if he runs for a second term next year, according to a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday.

Feds raid Massachusetts lab tied to meningitis outbreak

BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal agents on Tuesday raided the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a widespread meningitis outbreak that has killed 16 people and sickened more than 200 others, federal prosecutors said.

Moderate earthquake strikes Maine, felt in Boston

BOSTON (Reuters) - A moderate earthquake struck the northeastern U.S. state of Maine on Tuesday shortly after 7 p.m. (2300 GMT), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Canadian border officer shot at main Washington state crossing

BLAINE, Washington (Reuters) - A gunman in a van shot and critically wounded a Canadian border officer on Tuesday at the main crossing between Washington state and British Columbia, then immediately killed himself, Canadian authorities said.

Court leaves in place Montana caps on campaign contributions

(Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Tuesday ordered that a Montana law limiting campaign contributions to candidates for state office remain in effect at least through the general election in November.

New York construction spending rises to $30.7 billion in 2012: report

(Reuters) - Spending on New York City non-residential building projects is expected to reach a record $12.6 billion in 2012, pushing up overall construction spending a surprising 9.0 percent to $30.7 billion, an industry group said on Wednesday.

Libyan ambassador remembers Stevens as a "friend and hero"

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hundreds of mourners gathered on Tuesday for a memorial for slain U.S. envoy to Libya Christopher Stevens, as the Libyan ambassador to Washington called him a "friend and hero" and apologized for his death on behalf of the government in Tripoli.

Air Force contacts ex-recruits to encourage sex abuse reporting

SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday sent an email to every recruit who attended basic or technical training at a Texas base over the past decade to encourage them to report sexual misconduct, following the worst sex scandal within the military in years.