Ohio State attacker may have been inspired by overseas militants, FBI says

(Reuters) - A Somali immigrant who injured 11 people in a car and knife attack at Ohio State University may have been inspired by Islamic State and the late al Qaeda-linked cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, an FBI official said on Wednesday.

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Abortion rights advocates challenge restrictions in three U.S. states

(Reuters) - Abortion rights advocates on Wednesday challenged laws restricting the procedures in three states, an aggressive push following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a Texas law requiring abortions to be performed in surgical centers or hospitals.

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North Carolina policeman justified in shooting that sparked protests: prosecutor

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Reuters) - A police officer "acted lawfully" when he shot and killed an armed black man in Charlotte, North Carolina, in September and will not face criminal charges for his use of force, the local district attorney said on Wednesday.

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North Dakota backs away from checking cars headed to pipeline protest

CANNON BALL, N.D. (Reuters) - North Dakota law enforcement will not make spot checks on vehicles headed to the camp where activists are protesting a pipeline project near a Native-American reservation, the governor's office said on Wednesday, backing away from a previous plan.

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U.S. justices divided over immigration detention dispute

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared closely divided over whether immigrants detained for more than six months by the U.S. government while deportation proceedings take place are eligible for a hearing in which they can seek their release.

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'America's Subway' in Washington highlights infrastructure woes

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hailed as "America's Subway" when it began operating 40 years ago, Washington's Metro transit system now could serve as Exhibit A for the U.S infrastructure woes President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to fix.

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Deadly tornadoes rip through Mississippi, Alabama

(Reuters) - At least three people were killed and four children in a daycare center were injured as tornadoes tore through the U.S. south overnight and into Wednesday morning, forecasters said.

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