| Education Dept. official apologizes for comments on sexual assault Posted: 13 Jul 2017 07:48 AM PDT  The Education Department's top civil rights official has apologized for her characterization that 90 percent of campus sexual assault accusations investigated by the federal government under Title IX stem from drunken regret or the fallout of a broken romance.
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| Senate health care plan B, or maybe C or D, takes shape, as conservative bloc hardens stand Posted: 12 Jul 2017 10:21 AM PDT  As conservative GOP senators issue ultimatums about health care legislation, moderates have begun to work on a backup plan should a repeal-and-replace of Obamacare fail.
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| MS-13 Member Narrated And Filmed Stabbing Of Teen: Report Posted: 12 Jul 2017 10:54 AM PDT  The victim was forced to strip before she was tortured and murdered.
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| Rep. Steve King: Build border wall with funds from food stamps, Planned Parenthood Posted: 12 Jul 2017 08:18 AM PDT  Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said Wednesday that Congress should pad the budget for President Trump's border wall by cutting funding for Planned Parenthood and food stamps.
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| Michigan Official Says He Won't Apologize for Sharing Anti-Muslim Facebook Posts Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:47 PM PDT  "I don't expect everyone to see things the way I do"
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| This Is a Nearly Production-Ready Aston Valkyrie Posted: 12 Jul 2017 12:06 PM PDT  This is our first official look at a near-production ready Aston Martin Valkyrie. Wow.
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| New Photos the Grievous Damage Done to the USS Fitzgerald Posted: 13 Jul 2017 12:02 PM PDT  The USS Fitzgerald collided with a container ship three times its size.
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| The Latest: New wildfire brings destruction outside San Jose Posted: 11 Jul 2017 07:02 PM PDT  OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires across the U.S. West and Canada (all times local):
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| Jet Blast Kills Tourist At World Famous Caribbean Beach Posted: 13 Jul 2017 11:36 AM PDT  The 57-year-old New Zealand woman was reportedly holding onto a fence to feel the blast of a jumbo jet in St. Maarten.
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| ‘We were both drunk’: How a top civil rights official describes most Title IX campus rape accusations Posted: 12 Jul 2017 01:26 PM PDT  A top civil rights official in the U.S. Department of Education characterized "90 percent" of campus sexual assault accusations that rise to the level of a federal Title IX investigation as amounting to "we were both drunk."
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| Russia probe is not a ‘witch hunt,’ FBI nominee Wray tells senators Posted: 12 Jul 2017 08:50 AM PDT  FBI nominee Christopher Wray said that he does not view the federal investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign as a "witch hunt."
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| Antarctica's fragile ice Posted: 12 Jul 2017 11:34 AM PDT ![Antarctica's fragile ice]( "Antarctica's fragile ice") A large portion of an ice shelf has broken off from the Antarctic mainland, creating one of the world's largest iceberg. Here's a look at the threatened ice shelves and glaciers of the South Pole.
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| Heavy Fighting Shakes West Mosul a Day After Victory Over ISIS Is Declared Posted: 11 Jul 2017 08:08 PM PDT  Militants are still holding out in the shattered Old City
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| Doctors, nurses among hundreds charged with defrauding U.S. health programs Posted: 13 Jul 2017 01:08 PM PDT  More than 400 people, including doctors and nurses, have been charged with defrauding Medicare and other federal healthcare programs of $1.3 billion, with many accused of illegally distributing opioids and other narcotics, the Justice Department said on Thursday. A total of 412 people, including almost 115 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, have been charged in the sweeping enforcement action, the biggest ever by the multi-agency Medicare Strike Force, the Justice Department said in a statement. "Too many trusted medical professionals like doctors, nurses and pharmacists have chosen to violate their oaths and put greed ahead of their patients," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in the statement.
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| History Channel's Amelia Earhart Photo Possibly Discredited Posted: 12 Jul 2017 01:23 PM PDT  A predated image of Amelia Earhart in the History Channel's new documentary launches an investigation from the network.
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| General: Plane at cruising altitude before problems, crash Posted: 12 Jul 2017 01:00 PM PDT  JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The military transport plane that slammed into soybean fields Monday in the Mississippi Delta, killing 15 Marines and a Navy sailor, appears to have developed problems while high in the air, a Marine general said Wednesday.
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| China sends troops to its 'support base' in East Africa Posted: 12 Jul 2017 05:40 AM PDT  Ships carrying Chinese troops tasked with setting up the country's first overseas military base are steaming towards the East African nation of Djibouti. China calls its new facility a 'support base' and says it will have mainly logistical functions, however observers see it as a key part of Beijing's plans to expand its global reach through military might. India in particular views the base with suspicion as New Delhi is concerned that China is confronting it with a 'ring of pearls' – a series of assets and alliances across the Indian Ocean and into South-East Asia. A report from the Pentagon recently suggested that China is likely to open a military base in Pakistan, India's main rival in Asia. However, China dismissed this. Chinese sailors on parade China started building its base in Djibouti just over a year ago. It is stationed just a few miles from a US camp, and France and Japan also have bases in the nation, which is about the size of Wales. A report by China's official Xinhua news agency said the decision to set up the base was "made by the two countries after friendly negotiations". The report added: "The base will ensure China's performance of missions, such as escorting, peace-keeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and west Asia. "The base will also be conducive to overseas tasks including military cooperation, joint exercises, evacuating and protecting overseas Chinese and emergency rescue, as well as jointly maintaining security of international strategic seaways." The Chinese flag flies from the ship China's defence ministry said that a ceremony was held at a naval pier in the southern Chinese port of Zhanjiang presided over by navy commander Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong. Neither Xinhua or defence officials gave details on numbers or units of troops travelling to the new base. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news briefing the facility would enable China to make "new and greater contributions" to peace in Africa and the world and would benefit Djibouti's economic development. The People's Liberation Army Daily said in a front-page commentary that the new base would help China fulfil its obligations in ensuring global peace, working with its huge UN peacekeeping force in Africa and its anti-piracy patrols. The Global Times, a newspaper which often takes a nationalist tone, said the new facility was indeed a military base. "We will base troops there," it said. "It's not a commercial resupply point. It makes sense there is attention on this from foreign public opinion." Additional reporting by Christine Wei.
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| Hear the 911 Call of a Priest's Alleged Road Rage Encounter: 'He Pointed a Gun At Me!' Posted: 12 Jul 2017 06:33 AM PDT  A mother and son found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun during a Florida encounter with a man cops say was an Episcopal priest.
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| Scarborough leaves GOP: ‘You apologize for your party for so long…’ Posted: 12 Jul 2017 06:54 AM PDT  "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, announced Tuesday that he plans to leave the GOP to become an independent.
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| Nigerian VP back in Abuja after Buhari meeting Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:21 AM PDT  Nigeria's vice-president has returned from a whistlestop trip to meet ailing President Muhammadu Buhari in London and will chair Wednesday's weekly cabinet meeting, his spokesman said. Acting President Yemi "Osinbajo now back in Abuja from London & will be presiding over FEC (federal executive committee) this morning," tweeted Laolu Akande. Osinbajo, who has been acting president since Buhari left for medical treatment on May 7, flew to London on Tuesday.
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| John McCain on Donald Trump Jr.: My Sons Would Be Court-Martialed If They Did That Posted: 11 Jul 2017 05:34 PM PDT  "The people around me would not be inclined to do that kind of thing"
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| Man who beat girlfriend unconscious, gouged out her eyes then left her to die has sentence reduced Posted: 12 Jul 2017 05:21 AM PDT  Chile's Supreme Court reduced Mauricio Ortega's jail term from 26 to 18 years, as the court ruled he was not attempting to kill Nabila Rifo when he brutally attacked her. The case has come to be seen as emblematic of the ongoing domestic violence crisis in Chile. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who led the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, visited Ms Rifo in hospital while she was recovering.
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| Twitter Reacts To Good Morning America Hiding George Stephanopoulos' Legs Posted: 13 Jul 2017 07:11 AM PDT  "Just another type of body shaming," wrote one user.
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| Greece jails man, frees 2 on bail in tourist's beating death Posted: 13 Jul 2017 11:48 AM PDT  ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A Serb man was ordered jailed pending trial and two others were released on bail Thursday after appearing before an investigating judge on the Greek island of Zakynthos in the beating death of an American tourist.
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| Pakistan PM's daughter, heir apparent in corruption probe crosshairs Posted: 13 Jul 2017 03:49 AM PDT  By Drazen Jorgic ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A damning judicial report into the family wealth of Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif threatens not just his premiership, but has also imperiled the political career of his daughter and heir apparent. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, 43, has in recent years gained greater influence within Sharif's inner circle, and is credited with steering him to embrace more pro-women and liberal causes in a deeply conservative nation of 200 million people. "It nips her career in the bud," Sherry Rehman, vice president of the opposition Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), told Reuters.
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| Donald Trump says his son is 'innocent' as he faces accusations of treason over email scandal - but Russia says it 'knows nothing' Posted: 12 Jul 2017 07:04 AM PDT  President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his son Donald Trump Jr, describing him as "innocent" and portraying him as the victim of a witch hunt. His intervention followed revelations in emails that showed his eldest son welcomed Russian help against his father's rival in last year's presidential election. "My son Donald did a good job last night," Mr Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to a Fox News television interview by his son on Tuesday night. "He was open, transparent and innocent. This is the greatest Witch Hunt in political history. Sad!" But it came as the New York Times reported that Mr Trump Jr's initial comments on the story, published by the paper on Sunday, were drafted on board Air Force One and were signed off by the president. That statement was vague and inconclusive, and did not draw a line under the story. Instead, it led to days of further damaging revelations. My son Donald did a good job last night. He was open, transparent and innocent. This is the greatest Witch Hunt in political history. Sad!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2017 Remember, when you hear the words "sources say" from the Fake Media, often times those sources are made up and do not exist.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2017 It comes after Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's running mate in the election, said: "This is moving into perjury, false statements and even potentially treason. "This should have set off alarm bells and red lights and instead, what it seemed to do is it activated their salivary glands. They should have turned this over to law enforcement immediately." President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House While experts have said his actions could not be categorised as treason, some attorneys say that the events described in the emails could amount to a conspiracy to break campaign finance law. British music producer helped set up Trump-Russia meeting The emails have thrust Mr Trump Jr into the centre of a growing scandal over whether Trump's associates colluded with Moscow in its efforts to tilt the 2016 election in the Republican's favour. Released on Tuesday, an email from British music producer Rob Goldstone to Mr Trump Jr claims an offer was allegedly made by Russia's general prosecutor to provide the Trump campaign with "official documents" on Mrs Clinton during a meeting with real estate mogul Aras Agalarov. Rob Goldstone Mr Goldstone said the Russian prosecutor "offered to provide the Trump campaign" with "very high level and sensitive information" as "part of Russia and its government's support" for his father. Mr Goldstone claimed to have been told by Mr Agalarov's pop star son Emin, whom he managed, to try and pass on the information. He later helped organise a meeting on June 9, 2016 between a Russian lawyer and Mr Trump Jr to discuss the alleged information. The Agalarov family has established ties to the Trumps and brought the future US leader to Moscow for the 2013 Miss Universe beauty competition. Who is in President Trump's inner circle? 02:31 Russia: These claims are 'wild' Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said on Wednesday it was "wild" that Mr Trump's eldest son was in hot water for the meeting. "I learned with surprise that a Russian lawyer, a women, is being blamed and Trump's son is being blamed for meeting. For me, this is wild," said Mr Lavrov, during a visit to Brussels. "Because when any person speaks to a lawyer, what problem or threat could be there? I didn't know about this, I learned about it from television." Kremlin-linked lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya Mr Agalarov, the Russian businessman, has also denied his involvement. "Emin is acquainted with him [Donald Trump Jr.], I am not," he said. "The contacts took place at Miss Universe. "They [Emin and Donald Trump Jr.] are about the same age, I have no idea what they talked about. "So, they talked about something, I don't know." Trump Jr reveals extent of Russian meeting 01:04 Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer who met Mr Trump Jr, said she did not know at the time that it was Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort who had attended the same meeting. "I didn't know who was going to be at that meeting, aside from being told that Donald Trump Jr. was ready to meet me," she said on Wednesday. "I compared my recollections of the meeting with media reports and photographs and assume that the young man who left the meeting 7-10 minutes after it started was Mr Kushner [he never came back to the conference room by the way], and the man who was constantly reading something on his phone and I couldn't quite understand why he was in the meeting at all, was Mr Manafort." Donald Trump and the Russian connections
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| Scientists warn of ‘biological annihilation,’ say mass extinction event is currently happening on Earth Posted: 12 Jul 2017 07:45 AM PDT 
When you hear the term "mass extinction" you probably imagine something like the space rock that smacked Earth and led to the demise of the dinosaurs, but according to a new research paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we're currently experiencing an extinction event of our very own. After monitoring the populations of nearly 200 species, scientists are now sounding the alarm and insist that the dramatic changes in their numbers could threaten humanity as we know it.
Among the tens of thousands of species studied for the paper, the researchers surveyed the population figures of 177 mammal species across all continents, comparing the population and distribution data from as far back as 1900 to the current numbers. What they found is that of the mammal species monitored, nearly half of them have lost over 80% of their distribution since their earliest monitoring. "The resulting biological annihilation obviously will have serious ecological, economic and social consequences," the researchers say "Humanity will eventually pay a very high price for the decimation of the only assemblage of life that we know of in the universe." The scientists pin the destruction of these species on human overpopulation, which has led to the mass destruction of natural habitats as well as an influx of pollution. Human effect on the climate of the planet has also not done nature any favors, as changing temperatures have pushed and pulled species into and out of various regions, causing overlaps and a spike in invasive species in many areas.
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| NATO warns Russia to honour war games promises Posted: 13 Jul 2017 07:45 AM PDT  NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday welcomed Russian reassurances about a major upcoming military exercise that has deeply worried the allies, but warned Moscow must live up to its commitments. Speaking after a "frank" meeting between Russia's NATO ambassador and envoys from the 28-nation alliance, Stoltenberg said both sides had discussed ways to avoid dangerous misunderstandings over issues such as exercises. Russia had in particular provided numbers of its soldiers, planes and ships involved in the Zapad ("West") war games in Russia and Belarus in September, Stoltenberg said.
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| Republicans roll out new healthcare bill that keeps Obamacare taxes on the wealthy Posted: 13 Jul 2017 08:25 AM PDT  Republican leaders in the US Senate have rolled out a new version of their healthcare bill that will keep a pair of taxes on the rich to help keep health insurance costs down, as they try to save their bid to repeal and replace Obamacare. Libertarian-leaning Senator Rand Paul has already announced he will vote against beginning debate on the bill next week, and more moderate senators Susan Collins and Rob Portman are also expected to oppose the new version. With a majority of 52 Republicans, Mr McConnell can only afford to lose two 'yea' votes.
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| Parents Slam 'Hollow Excuses' From Fraternity Members in Penn State Hazing Death Posted: 12 Jul 2017 10:25 AM PDT  'I don't want to go to jail for this,' fraternity members texted after the ritual
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| ‘Unbelonging’: A life split between countries Posted: 13 Jul 2017 10:35 AM PDT !['Unbelonging': A life split between countries]( "'Unbelonging': A life split between countries") The photos of Nigerian-born photographer Osaretin Ugiagbe document the beauty and sorrows witnessed during a life split between the South Bronx and Lagos, Nigeria.
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| Once-loyal prosecutor emerges as hero in Venezuela protests Posted: 12 Jul 2017 12:54 PM PDT  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro who have taken to the streets day after day in Venezuela now find themselves rallying in support of an unexpected hero: the chief prosecutor who helped throw many of them into jail.
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| Natural History Museum unveils Dippy's replacement, a giant blue whale called Hope Posted: 13 Jul 2017 01:19 AM PDT  The Natural History Museum in London has unveiled its new star, a giant blue whale skeleton called Hope. The blue whale skeleton has been named 'Hope' Credit: John Nguyen for the Telegraph The 25.2 metre mammal suspended from the ceiling forms the main exhibit as visitors come through the front door and replaces the much-loved Diplodocus dinosaur, "Dippy", which will soon head out on a tour of the UK. 'Hope' has been installed as part of a revamp Credit: John Nguyen for the Telegraph The skeleton is from 1891 and originally went on display in 1934 and has been installed as part of a revamp at the South Kensington museum. The name "Hope" was given as a "symbol of humanity's power to shape a sustainable future". Credit: John Nguyen for the Telegraph Blue whales are now making a recovery following decades of exploitation that nearly drove them out of existence. The Museum's Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, and Sir David Attenborough will attend a gala launch reception this evening (July 13) ahead of the public opening at 10am tomorrow. The 25.2 metre real blue whale skeleton is from 1891 and originally went on display in 1934 Credit: John Nguyen for the Telegraph Sir Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum, said: 'This is a landmark moment for the Museum and for the millions of people from all over the world who visit us. The transformation of Hintze Hall represents a new era for us as a natural history museum for the future. "Putting our blue whale, Hope, at the centre of the Museum, between living species on the West and extinct species on the East, is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the responsibility we have towards our planet." Sir Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum, said: 'This is a landmark moment for the Museum' Credit: John Nguyen for the Telegraph Richard Sabin, the museum's leading whale expert, said: "Whales are incredibly mysterious and behaviourally complex creatures, as well as being the giants of the ocean. "I remember visiting the Museum as a child and being amazed when I came face to face with the blue whale skeleton we are now unveiling in Hintze Hall. "Until 2015 the skeleton was hung alongside a model whale in the mammals gallery and wasn't in full view, but in her stunning new home, where you are able to walk underneath and see her from all angles, she is even more spectacular. "It is impossible not to be struck by the sheer scale and majesty of this beautiful creature as she dives towards you when you enter the Museum. "My first encounter with the blue whale skeleton became a defining moment in my life, and I am sure Hope will inspire a new generation of visitors to discover the story of life on Earth and be encouraged to want to protect the natural world."
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| U.S. agency that could challenge Trump Jr. stalled by partisan politics Posted: 13 Jul 2017 12:52 PM PDT  By Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. agency that could bring civil charges against Donald Trump, Jr. if it found he violated campaign finance laws by meeting with a Russian who purportedly had damaging information on Hillary Clinton is often gridlocked by partisan politics and can take years to mete out punishment, legal experts said on Wednesday. Some Democratic lawmakers want the Federal Election Commission to charge Trump Jr. based on emails in which he eagerly agreed to meet with a woman he was told was a Russian government lawyer with damaging information about Democratic presidential candidate Clinton. Democrat U.S. Representative Grace Meng wrote to the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday asking it to take up a complaint against Trump Jr. that was filed this week by government watchdog group Common Cause.
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| Prisoner aid cut could trigger Palestinian crisis: activists Posted: 12 Jul 2017 07:34 PM PDT  International pressure on the Palestinian Authority to halt payments to the families of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, including those convicted of attacks, could trigger political crisis, rights groups say. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is caught between pressure from US President Donald Trump's administration and a potential backlash from Palestinians, most of whom view their prisoners as heroes. Palestinian officials say some 850,000 people have spent time in Israeli prisons in the 50 years since Israel seized the Palestinian territories in the 1967 Six-Day War.
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| Canadian fisherman killed by whale after rescuing it from a net Posted: 12 Jul 2017 01:15 AM PDT  Joe Howlett, from Campobello Island, New Brunswick, has saved dozens of endangered whales after they became entangled in fishing nets. Soon after cutting the last piece of rope from the massive whale, Mr Howlett was struck by the mammal, Mackie Green, of the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, said. Mr Howlett has helped rescue around two dozen whales over the past 15 years, his family and friends said.
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| Did Samsung just accidentally reveal the Galaxy Note 8 early? Posted: 13 Jul 2017 11:18 AM PDT 
The past few months have been absolutely swamped with Galaxy Note 8 leaks, from schematics and components to release date rumors and concept images. Through all of these leaks, including our own exclusive leak, we've managed to piece together a fairly complete picture of the upcoming phablet. But on Thursday morning, without warning, Samsung's official Exynos Twitter account shared an image that appears to feature the Galaxy Note 8. After all that build up, Samsung spoiled the surprise itself.
One look at the phone in the tweet and you can tell that it isn't a Galaxy S8 or a Galaxy S8+. While is shares some similarities with the flagship phones released earlier this year, the top bezel is thinner than that of the S8 or S8+ (which is what recent leaks have suggested as well). The display appears to stretch even further over the sides as well, making the Infinity Display name even more appropriate. https://twitter.com/SamsungExynos/status/885483958112223232 Considering we're likely still a few weeks out from the Galaxy Note 8, there's a chance that this isn't the final hardware. That said, it's worth stressing that the tweet above came from an official Samsung Twitter account, so it would be especially strange if the model in the image was inaccurate. Samsung didn't include any further information about the Note 8 in the tweet or the linked webpage, but recent reports claim the phone will feature a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED display with 2K resolution and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, Exynos 8895 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB of RAM, a dual 12-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and a 3,300 mAh battery. Samsung is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy Note 8 before the end of the month, with plans to launch the phone and have it in stores as early as August 23rd to beat the iPhone 8 to market.
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| The DIY Detox: How to Create the Healthiest Cleanse for You Posted: 13 Jul 2017 07:21 AM PDT ![The DIY Detox: How to Create the Healthiest Cleanse for You]( "The DIY Detox: How to Create the Healthiest Cleanse for You") As a result, they crave cleanses, detoxes and commitments to extreme healthy eating that they believe will get their diets back on track or cancel out their so-called eating sins. "I can't tell you how many [social media] statuses I saw that said, 'Time for a detox,'" after the holiday, says Yasi Ansari, a registered dietitian in Newport Beach, California. "There are people who need a time period to really stay disciplined to a healthy eating regimen," Ansari finds.
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| Military plane crash: Victims came from all over the country Posted: 13 Jul 2017 12:19 AM PDT  The 15 Marines and a Navy sailor killed in a military plane crash Monday in Mississippi came from all over the country. Six of the Marines and the sailor were from an elite Marine Raider battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Nine were based out of Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, home of a Marine Aerial Refueling and Transport Squadron.
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| Ukraine Keen To Begin NATO Entry Process, Russia worried Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:52 AM PDT  Moscow is worried about the development because if Ukraine in inducted into NATO, Russia would lose control over Crimea.
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| Vatican to hold trial of officials accused of using children's hospital funds for cardinal's luxury flat Posted: 13 Jul 2017 09:26 AM PDT  The Vatican is to put on trial two former officials who are accused of siphoning off nearly £400,000 from a Vatican-owned children's hospital and using it to renovate a luxurious apartment for a powerful cardinal. Giuseppe Profiti and Massimo Spina will face their first hearing in front of a Vatican tribunal next Tuesday, it was announced. Mr Profiti, the former president of the Bambino Gesu (Baby Jesus) Hospital in Rome, and Mr Spina, its former treasurer, are accused of diverting 422,000 euros (£372,000) of hospital funds towards the renovation of the property for Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Cardinal Bertone was Secretary of State – effectively the Vatican's prime minister - during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Bertone served under Pope Benedict XVI but fell out of favour when Pope Francis was elected in 2013. Credit: Reuters He fell from favour under Benedict's successor, Pope Francis, and was removed from office just eight months after Francis was elected in 2013. During his seven years in office he was blamed for many of the gaffes and controversies of Benedict's papacy. In its statement, the Vatican accused the two men of having "used, in an illegal manner, money belonging to the Bambino Gesu Foundation, money to which they both had access due to their roles in the institution." The money was illicitly taken from the hospital's coffers between November 2013 and March 2014, and used for "completely extra-institutional purposes" in restructuring the cardinal's apartment, the Holy See said. The pair will be tried in a Vatican tribunal consisting of three judges. Cardinal Bertone has denied any wrongdoing and is not on trial. Credit: AP Mr Profiti has admitted that hospital money was used, but said the apartment was to be used for official fundraising events. In a letter he wrote in 2013 to the cardinal, he suggested hosting gatherings and meetings in "what is to be Your Eminence's residence". The flat is Vatican property but was assigned to Cardinal Bertone after he retired as Secretary of State in 2013. He has acknowledged that it is large but said he shared it with three nuns as well as a secretary. The property includes a library, several bedrooms and a broad terrace. After the allegations concerning the payments came to light Cardinal Bertone made a donation of €150,000 euros to the hospital foundation out of his own pocket in 2015. Bertone has always denied any knowledge of the payments and was not charged.
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| How Bad Will the Russian Scandal Get? Posted: 12 Jul 2017 02:28 PM PDT  Morning Must Reads: July 12
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