News

The Republican-dominated Texas Legislature moved closer on Monday to passing some of the toughest abortion restrictions in the country, as the State House of Representatives approved a bill that would ban abortion clinics to the same standards as hospital-style surgical centers, the New York Times reported. Senate Bill 5, as it is known, will require clinics to be surgical centers and mandating that doctors have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. These measures will would force dozens of abortion providers in the state to close, news reports said.

A panel of judges on Monday sentenced former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to seven years in prison for abusing power and having sex with an underage prostitute, CNN reported. Judges also barred him from holding public office.

The Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that determines which state and local government have to seek federal permission to change their voting laws, NBC News and Fox News reported on Tuesday. The 5-4 majority decision leaves the future of the law deeply uncertain because it will be up to Congress to redraw the map.