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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday sued SeaWorld Entertainment Inc and former chief executive James Atchison, saying they misled investors about the negative effect that the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" would have on the company's reputation and business.

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:07:03 -0400

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI should not investigate a California professor's allegations of sexual assault against U.S. Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that he wanted his nominee to be confirmed quickly. Asked whether he would ask the FBI to open its background check on Kavanaugh, Trump told reporters at the White House: "I don't think the FBI really need to be involved because they don't want to be involved. If they wanted to be, I would certainly do that, but as you know, they say this is not really their thing. ...

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:53:54 -0400

WILMINGTON/FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Reuters) - Residents of the Carolinas struggled to return to normalcy on Tuesday after taking a beating from Hurricane Florence, but their efforts were hindered by standing water and additional flooding expected from already swollen rivers. At least 32 people have been killed since Florence came ashore as a hurricane on Friday, including 25 in North Carolina and six in South Carolina. One person was killed when Florence spawned at least 16 tornadoes on Monday in Virginia, where dozens of buildings were destroyed, the National Weather Service reported.

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:44:03 -0400

A Republican U.S. Senate committee chairman said on Tuesday the woman who has accused President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault decades ago has not yet agreed to appear at a public hearing planned for Monday. Senator Chuck Grassley said Christine Blasey Ford, a university professor in California whose allegations have put Kavanaugh's once-safe nomination in serious jeopardy, has not responded to attempts by the Judiciary Committee, which oversees the confirmation process, to contact her. The hearing represents a potential make-or-break moment for the conservative federal appeals court judge's confirmation chances for the lifetime post on the top U.S. court, as Trump seeks to continue his goal of moving the federal judiciary to the right.

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:48:53 -0400

U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg said in a ruling late on Monday that while it is important for citizens to know their ballots are properly counted, voters also must rely on a smooth process, especially in a fast-approaching election race. "Ultimately, any chaos or problems that arise in connection with a sudden rollout of a paper ballot system with accompanying scanning equipment may swamp the polls with work and voters – and result in voter frustration and disaffection from the voting process," Totenberg said in a 46-page decision. Democrat Stacey Abrams faces Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, who is responsible for the state's elections and is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:25:40 -0400