Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has struck down a rule in Massachusetts that provides a 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics. In a unanimous decision, the justices said extending the buffer zone that far from clinic entrances violates the First Amendment rights of protesters. Chief Justice John Roberts said the restriction was too broad, noting that most of the problems reported by police and the clinics occurred outside one Planned Parenthood facility in Boston, and only on Saturdays.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican congressional leaders are praising the Supreme Court for rejecting what they say was an unconstitutional power grab by President Barack Obama. In a unanimous ruling today, the justices said Obama exceeded his authority when made recess appointments in 2012 to fill slots on the National Labor Relations Board that required Senate confirmation. Obama had argued that the Senate was holding "pro forma" sessions only to block him from filling the positions. But the high court says it's up to Congress to decide when it is in formal recess.
PARIS (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry says the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant poses a threat beyond Iraq and Syria. That's the message he's giving Washington's top Sunni-ruled allies in the Mideast. Kerry sat down with the foreign ministers of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Paris today, to discuss the Sunni Muslim insurgency that's seized control of much of northern and western Iraq as well as parts of Syria. The Saudi foreign minister calls today's discussions "of immense importance."
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. humanitarian chief is accusing the Syrian government of imposing "arbitrary restrictions and obstructions" on the delivery of aid and banning life-saving medical supplies from shipments to opposition-held areas. Valerie Amos tells the U.N. Security Council that some opposition groups have also attacked and refused to cooperate with humanitarian workers. She says the number of Syrians in need of aid has risen to 10.8 milllion, but the U.N. has been "unable to sustainably reach nearly half" of those in greatest need.
RECIFE, Brazil (AP) — A tropical downpour has flooded roads in the Brazilian city of Recife (HEH'-see-fee) today, where the U.S. men's national team is playing Germany in the World Cup. The water has been ankle-deep and higher in the city, with more than 3 inches of rain having fallen in the past 24 hours. But the field has looked firm enough. At the half, the U.S. and Germany were tied at 0-0. Both teams advance if they tie.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
