Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is expected to veto a bill Congress approved without objection that would allow families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the Saudi Arabian government, a White House spokesman said Monday.
The president has opposed the bill, which would let courts waive claims to foreign sovereign immunity in cases involving terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, over fears that foreign governments might exploit the move to drag American officials into court.
However, congressional leaders have already suggested they would try to override a veto, and likely have sufficient support in both chambers to do so.
New York
ALBANY, N.Y. – New York state has reopened the window for workers and volunteers seeking lost wages and medical benefits from their involvement in the rescue, recovery and cleanup at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday extends the claims filing deadline until Sept. 11, 2018. It lapsed two years ago.
The law also authorizes new claims for related injuries and illnesses since the attacks through this year’s anniversary for workers’ compensation, disability and accidental death benefits that were disallowed because of late filing.
Vatican City
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis’ sexual abuse commission has scored a victory within the Vatican: Members have been invited to address Vatican congregations and a training course for new bishops, suggesting that the Holy See now considers child protection programs to be an important responsibility for church leaders.
Commission members praised the development as a breakthrough given that bishops have long been accused of covering up for abusers by moving pedophile priests from parish to parish rather than reporting them to police.
This week, panel members including Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins and the Vatican's former sex-crimes prosecutor, Bishop Charles Scicluna, will address the new bishops’ course, which the Vatican hosts for all bishops named in the previous year to teach them how to run their dioceses.
Vermont
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – The town has struck out in its attempt to bring home the bacon – Kevin Bacon, that is.
Brattleboro wanted the actor to visit for its third annual Baconfest, a celebration of all things related to the fatty cured pork strips.
But he tweeted his regrets on Monday, saying in a video that he won’t be able to make it to Baconfest because he's filming in Vancouver. He said he appreciated the “hilarious effort” that went into trying to get him there.
Associated Press, Washington Post
