By CHARLOTTE KRAMON, ALEX VEIGA and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
In a rare bipartisan effort for a deeply divided Congress, the Senate has passed a broad bill to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable. The bill passed on Thursday would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, which passed a separate version earlier this year. It is unclear whether President Donald Trump would sign it after declaring last weekend that he won't sign any new measures unless Congress passes legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship.
Defense lawyers in the Vatican's "trial of the century" have argued that Pope Francis violated the fundamental rights of their clients by issuing four secret decrees that gave prosecutors "surreal carte blanche" to investigate.The tone of argument in the frescoed Vatican tribunal was so charged Tuesday that at one point the tribunal president asked defense lawyers to refrain from citing Francis by name.The request by Archbishop Alejandro Arellano Cedillo underscored how Francis' problematic role in the financial trial poses something of an existential dilemma to the Holy See. On the one hand, popes can only be judged by God. On the other, Francis stands accused of violating the God-given rights of the defendants.
Judges at the International Criminal Court have ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in killings during his war on drugs. Lawyers for the 80-year-old argued that his health was deteriorating in detention, delaying a hearing scheduled for September. Following the assessment of a panel of medical experts, including geriatric neurologists and psychiatrists, judges have now found that Duterte is healthy enough for the proceedings to move forward.
A Utah judge has ordered the release of a transcript from a closed-door hearing in October over whether the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk must be shackled during court proceedings. State District Judge Tony Graf said Monday the transcript must be posted on the court docket by the end of the day. Graf had earlier rejected a request by the defense that Robinson not be shackled. Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. They plan to seek the death penalty.
