Trump OKs Sanctions for Foreigners Who Meddle in Elections

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday authorizing sanctions against foreigners who meddle in U.S. elections, acting amid criticism that he has not taken election security seriously enough. “We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it’s something he cares deeply about —…

Francis Calls Clergy Abuse Summit as Issue Imperils Papacy

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis summoned the presidents of the world’s bishops’ conferences Wednesday to a summit on preventing clergy sex abuse and protecting children, responding to the greatest crisis of his papacy with the realization that Vatican inaction on the growing global scandal now threatens his legacy. Francis’ key cardinal advisers announced plans…

President Trump To Mark 17 Years Since Sept. 11 At Pennsylvania Field

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is marking 17 years since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil by visiting the Pennsylvania field that became a Sept. 11 memorial. Trump and his wife, Melania, were participating in Tuesday’s somber remembrance in Shanksville. It’s where hijackers crashed a California-bound commercial…

Intensifying Hurricane Florence Could Strike US Southeast

By RUSS BYNUM , Associated Press Rapidly intensifying Hurricane Florence could strike a direct and dangerous blow anywhere from the Carolinas to the Mid-Atlantic region later this week, possibly as a fearsome category 4. A hurricane hunter plane found Florence strengthening quickly, reaching top winds of 85 mph (140 kph) Sunday evening after crossing the…