Feb 21 More than 150 Islamic State militants handed over to Iraq from Syria By Sarah El Deeb, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press U.S.-backed Syrian forces fighting the Islamic State group in Syria handed over more than 150 Iraqi members of the group to Iraq, the first batch of several to come, an Iraqi security official said Thursday. Continue reading
Feb 21 At Vatican summit, Pope demands bishops act now on abuse By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis opened a landmark sex abuse prevention summit Thursday by warning senior Catholic figures that the faithful are demanding concrete action against predator priests and not just words of condemnation. Victims then told the bishops of the searing emotional… Continue reading
Feb 21 ‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett turns self in to face charge, police say By Don Babwin, Associated Press The "Empire" actor turned himself in early Thursday to face accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked in Chicago by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs and looped a rope… Continue reading
Feb 20 Prosecutors say Coast Guard lieutenant is domestic terrorist with hit list By Michael Balsamo, Associated Press Christopher Paul Hasson wrote about biological attacks and had a hit list that included prominent congressional Democrats, activists, journalists and media commentators, prosecutors say. Continue reading
Feb 20 Democrats to file measure aimed at blocking Trump emergency Friday By Alan Fram, Associated Press President Trump has promised to veto the measure. It seems unlikely Congress could muster the two-thirds majorities in each chamber needed to override a veto. Continue reading
Feb 20 Police official: Actor Jussie Smollett suspected of lying about attack By Don Babwin, Associated Press Chicago detectives suspect that "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett filed a false police report when he said he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago late last month, a police official said Wednesday. Continue reading
Feb 20 Michael Cohen’s prison date postponed due to surgery recovery By Larry Neumeister, Michael R. Sisak, Associated Press President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen was granted a few more weeks of freedom after his lawyers said he's still recovering from surgery and hasn't had time to get his affairs in order because he's preparing to… Continue reading
Feb 20 Alabama woman who joined ISIS can’t return to U.S., Pompeo says By Matthew Lee, Jay Reeves, Associated Press An Alabama woman who left home to join ISIS after becoming radicalized online now wants to return with her 18-month-old son, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that she is not a U.S. citizen and will not… Continue reading
Feb 20 Health spending could rise 5.5 percent a year through 2027. Here’s why By Laura Santhanam Overall, health spending will make up a bigger portion of GDP than it does today, newly released federal data suggests. Continue reading
Feb 20 U.S. mining sites dump 50 million gallons of fouled wastewater daily By Matthew Brown, Associated Press That torrent is poisoning aquatic life and tainting drinking water sources in Montana, California, Colorado, Oklahoma and at least five other states. Continue reading