US HEADLINES

Baltimore heads into weekend of rallies after officers charged

By Scott Malone and Ian Simpson BALTIMORE (Reuters) – A jubilant Baltimore headed into a weekend of rallies on Saturday after six police officers were criminally charged over the arrest of a 25-year-old black man whose death led to rioting earlier in the week. Demonstrations are expected to continue around the United States through the weekend, with a massive rally planned for Baltimore city hall with marchers leaving from the

Clashes erupt in U.S. West Coast cities during May Day marches

SEATTLE/OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) – Crowds clashed with police during May Day marches in several U.S. West Coast cities late on Friday, as officers responded with stun grenades and pepper spray, police and media said. Anti-capitalist protesters hurled wrenches and rocks at officers in Seattle, police said. Demonstrators in Oakland, California, and several other cities, rallied against a series of police killings of unarmed black men, local media reported. Footage on

Iowa governor declares state of emergency due to bird flu outbreak

By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO (Reuters) – Iowa Governor Terry Branstad declared a state of emergency on Friday due to a rapidly expanding avian flu outbreak, saying the entire state was at risk from the spread of the disease. The announcement, which gives authorities powers to enforce preventative measures, was made soon after state agriculture officials announced four new poultry farms had initially tested positive for the virus. Iowa, the top