NPR News

Romney's Remarks On Abortion Cause Stir

Credit Evan Vucci / AP

Mitt Romney's comments on abortion have surprised those on both sides of the issue.

By Julie Rovner

Originally published on Thu October 11, 2012 8:22 am

Listen

Just how many abortion positions does Mitt Romney have? Once again, that answer is unclear.

This time the confusion began Tuesday, during a meeting with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register.

4:31 pm

Wed October 10, 2012

Sisters And Vatican II: A Generational Tug Of War

Next image Previous image

Credit Barbara Bradley Hagerty / NPR

A nun chants while she and her sisters pray together during Vespers at their home near Dumfries, Va. Unlike older sisters shaped by Vatican II, a new generation of women are flocking to more conservative orders.

Credit Barbara Bradley Hagerty / NPR

Sister Mary Jordon Hoover, principal of Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries, Va., is a member of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. The order falls under the jurisdiction of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, a more conservative organization.

By Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Originally published on Thu October 11, 2012 4:37 pm

Listen

Fifty years ago, Pope John XXIII launched a revolution in the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council opened on Oct. 11, 1962, with the goal of bringing the church into the modern world. Catholics could now hear the Mass in their local language. Laypeople could take leadership roles in the church. And the church opened conversations with other faiths.

For American nuns, Vatican II brought freedoms and controversies that are playing out today.

4:24 pm

Wed October 10, 2012

A Rare Case: Canadian Navy Officer Pleads Guilty To Selling Secrets To Russians

Credit Mike Dembeck / AP

Sub.-Lt. Jeffrey Delisle is escorted into Nova Scotia provincial court in Halifax in June.

By editor

Canada is not used to high profile spy cases. But today there is news that the country has tried its first successful case using the Security of Information Act. And it's quite the case.

The CBC reports that a Navy sub lieutenant pleaded guilty to selling secrets to Russia. Canadian Forces Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle, the CBC reports, simply walked into the Russian Embassy in Ottawa and offered to work for them.

4:09 pm

Wed October 10, 2012

'I Was Just Too Polite,' Says Obama, Vowing To Hit Hard At Next Debate

Credit Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images

President Obama promised to take it to Mitt Romney in future debates.

By Frank James

Originally published on Wed October 10, 2012 4:44 pm

No more Mr. Nice Guy. That was essentially what President Obama told Tom Joyner, the black-radio megahost, to expect at upcoming presidential debates.

On Wednesday, the president explained that his main mistake at last week's debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney was an excess of gentility.

Obama's self-critique, such as it was, came in response to a Joyner question:

3:50 pm

Wed October 10, 2012

1,900 Boy Scout Leaders Accused Of Child Sex Abuse

By Tovia Smith

Originally published on Wed October 10, 2012 5:57 pm

Listen

A lawyer who represents alleged victims of sexual abuse has made public a list of 1,900 people within the Boy Scouts of America accused or convicted of abuse. The list includes names, dates, locations and some details. Lawyers are expected to release internal documents from the Boy Scouts related to sexual abuse next week.

Now Playing

NPR News