Nation & World Watch
vWashington: Irish PM makes case for immigrants
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny is urging President Donald Trump to help Irish people living in the U.S. illegally, saying they just want to “make America great.”
Kenny spoke at a luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. In a one-on-one meeting with Trump at the White House, the two discussed immigration, trade and the Irish economy.
On people living in the country illegally, Kenny said: “We would like this to be sorted. It would remove a burden of so many people that they can stand out in the light and say, ‘Now I am free to contribute to America as I know I can.’ And that’s what people want.”
vWashington: Health bill advances in close vote
The House Budget Committee voted narrowly Thursday to advance the troubled Republican health care bill, with defections by three GOP conservatives underscoring the obstacles party leaders face.
The vote was 19-17, with Democrats unanimously voting no. Had one more Republican joined them, the measure would have failed in what would have been a damaging and embarrassing — but not fatal — blow to the measure.
The White House and GOP leaders are already talking to rank-and-file Republicans about revising the bill to nail down support.
vNew York: Probe brings no charges against mayor
State and federal investigations of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fundraising will not result in criminal charges against him or others acting on his behalf, prosecutors said Thursday.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said the facts were insufficient to argue a provable violation of state election laws, in part because the parties relied on the advice of attorneys. But he said the actions appear to be “contrary to the intent and spirit of the law.”
De Blasio said he wasn’t surprised that he would be cleared, and he maintained throughout that his administration had done nothing wrong.
vFrance: Student arrested after school shooting
A 16-year-old student who had troubled relations with his peers opened fire Thursday at a high school in southern France, wounding at least two students and the principal who tried to intervene, officials said.
Police moved into the Alexis de Tocqueville school in the town of Grasse and arrested the suspect, identified by the Interior Ministry as Killian Barbey.
The Grasse prosecutor said there were 10 victims, three of them suffering from “emotional shock.” None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.
After the suspect started shooting, students alerted the principal, who was wounded while “courageously” intervening, the prosecutor said.
vGreat Britain: 1st license given for 3-person babies
Britain’s Newcastle University says its scientists have received a license to create babies using DNA from three people to prevent women from passing on potentially fatal genetic diseases to their children — the first time such approval has been granted.
The license was granted Thursday by the country’s fertility regulator, according to the university.
In December, British officials approved the “cautious use” of the techniques, which aim to fix problems linked to mitochondria, energy-producing structures outside a cell’s nucleus. Faulty mitochondria can result in conditions including muscular dystrophy.
The university has said it is aiming to treat up to 25 patients a year.