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NEW YORK (AP) — A law firm hired by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the governor was not involved in a plot to create gridlock near the George Washington Bridge as part of a political retribution scheme. The taxpayer-funded report released today concludes the September lane closures near the heavily traveled George Washington Bridge were intended to target a local mayor. But there was no evidence found that it was because the mayor wouldn't endorse Christie. The report finds that former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey official David Wildstein (WYLD'-steen) and ex-Christie aide Bridget Kelly were behind the closures.
ROME (AP) — President Barack Obama says a pledge of up to $18 billion in loans to Ukraine from the International Monetary Fund is a major step forward. He says the support package will help Ukraine sustain its economy and meet its people's long-term needs. And he says it's a concrete signal that the world stands united with Ukraine as it makes tough choices in a difficult time. Obama, speaking today in Rome, also called on Congress to do its part. The House and Senate are poised to pass versions of a $1 billion loan guarantee package today.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A meeting between President Barack Obama and Pope Francis has brought to the surface some sharp differences over abortion and birth control. Obama has been focusing on their common ground on issues including economic inequality. And the pontiff presented him with a copy of his papal mission statement decrying a global economic system that excludes the poor. But the Vatican says the discussion also touched on the issues of abortion and mandatory health care coverage for contraception.
GENEVA (AP) — A United Nations panel says the United States isn't meeting its obligations under an international civil rights treaty. The panel says there hasn't been enough oversight or transparency in U.S. government programs of electronic surveillance, targeted drone killings and secret detentions. And it still has major concerns with solitary confinement of prisoners, sentencing of juveniles to life without parole, and racial disparities in the use of the death penalty.
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks have been fluctuating between gains and losses today. Two positive economic reports have been offset by more declines in technology companies. The government estimated today that the U.S. economy expanded at a slightly faster pace than had been initially thought in the last quarter of last year. And new unemployment claims fell last week to their lowest level since late November.
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