Legislation

February 23, 2019 - 1:59 am

Legal loophole may be closing for bishops who hide sex abuse

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The legal loopholes that have allowed Catholic bishops to escape sanction when they cover up clergy sex abuse cases may be closing. Two U.S. cardinals have confirmed that the Vatican is working on a "clarification" to a 2016 law that was supposed to hold bishops and religious...
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February 22, 2019 - 11:44 pm

R. Kelly due in Chicago court to face sex abuse charges

CHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly, the R&B star who has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves, is due in court Saturday after being charged with aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the...
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February 22, 2019 - 10:42 pm

Trump sets up abortion obstacles, barring clinic referrals

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Friday set up new obstacles for women seeking abortions, barring taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from making abortion referrals. The new policy is certain to be challenged in court. The final rule released Friday by the Health and Human Services...
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February 22, 2019 - 10:35 pm

Trump vows veto as Democrats try to block emergency order

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats controlling the House have teed up a vote next week to block President Donald Trump from using a national emergency declaration to fund a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, accelerating a showdown in Congress that could divide Republicans and lead to Trump's first veto...
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February 22, 2019 - 10:34 pm

The Latest: Trump vows veto if border resolution passed

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's decision to declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border to get financing of a wall on that border (all times local): 3:40 p.m. President Donald Trump is pledging a veto if Congress passes a resolution blocking his use of a national...
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February 22, 2019 - 9:13 pm

Judge strikes down North Carolina voter ID OK'd by voters

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina judge on Friday voided new state mandates requiring photo identification to vote and also limiting income tax rates. He ruled the GOP-controlled legislature lacked authority to put those constitutional amendments on the ballot because lawmakers had been elected...
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FILE - This June 13, 2008 file photo shows R&B singer R. Kelly, arriving at 3the Cook County Criminal Court Building in Chicago. R. Kelly, the R&B star who has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves, was charged Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, with aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17.. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)
February 22, 2019 - 5:43 pm

Chicago prosecutors charge R. Kelly with abusing 4 victims

CHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly, the R&B star who has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves, was charged Friday with aggravated sexual abuse involving four victims, including at least three between the ages of 13 and 17. In a...
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British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is greeted by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker prior to a meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Theresa May meet Wednesday for their latest negotiating session to seek an elusive breakthrough in Brexit negotiations. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
February 22, 2019 - 4:19 am

Ireland publishes no-deal Brexit bill it hopes it won't need

LONDON (AP) — The Irish government has published legislation designed to ease the damage if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal — but says it hopes the law will never be needed. The government plans to fast-track the bill through Ireland's parliament before the U.K.'s scheduled...
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February 22, 2019 - 1:31 am

French bishops agree to compensation for sex abuse victims

PARIS (AP) — Still struggling to come to terms with their share of responsibility in the clerical sex abuse scandal rocking the Catholic Church, France's bishops have agreed to award financial compensation to victims whose cases fall outside of France's statute of limitations. "We have agreed in...
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February 21, 2019 - 12:41 pm

State lawmakers place their bets on sports gambling

States are moving rapidly to legalize sports gambling even as lawmakers grapple with questions over how to implement it. How it will be regulated and taxed, whether betting should be allowed on college sports and how the state should spend the revenue are among the issues being debated in...
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