Same-sex couples can now be blessed by Catholic priests, following formal approval from Pope Francis. A new document explaining the change in Vatican policy was released Monday, saying that “people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to ‘an exhaustive moral analysis’ to receive it,” The Associated Press reported. …

EXCLUSIVE – WATERLOO, IOWA – Former President Donald Trump returns to Iowa on Tuesday with just under four weeks to go until the Hawkeye State’s Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the Republican presidential calendar. And with the first votes in the 2024 White House race fast approaching, Trump remains the …

In its ideological zeal to punish America, the outgoing Democratically-controlled Senate, plans to make public a report that, according to Fox News will examine “the alleged use of torture by the CIA.” Although the 6,000 page full report will remain classified, the 500 page summary is expected to be released …

ROME – Italian news reports say at least seven people have died in an explosion at a fireworks factory near Bari, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The ANSA news agency said the explosion Friday destroyed the Bruscella factory in Modugno and that the death toll might rise once firefighters are able …

CANBERRA, Australia – A piece of aircraft wing found on an island in the western Indian Ocean is unlikely to alter the seabed search for a missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner in the southern Indian Ocean, the search leader said Thursday. Air safety investigators are examining aircraft debris found on Reunion …

UNITED NATIONS – Western powers joined with North Korea’s key allies Wednesday on a proposal that would impose tough new sanctions against the reclusive communist nation for its second nuclear test, paving the way for quick approval by the U.N. Security Council. The sanctions would allow foreign countries to stop …

This is a RUSH transcript from “The O’Reilly Factor,” June 16, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. Watch “The O’Reilly Factor” weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET! BILL O’REILLY, HOST: In the “Miller Time” segment tonight: one day early because …

BRUSSELS – EU nations criticized Iranian authorities Sunday over the conduct of presidential elections and their “brutal” reaction against demonstrators protesting the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Click here for photos. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told reporters in Paris his government is “very worried” about the situation in Iran …

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A man already accused of kidnapping a 5-year-old North Carolina girl faces new charges that he raped and asphyxiated her, police said Thursday. Mario McNeill is being charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape of a child, Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine told reporters at a news …

PORTLAND, Ore. – More than 400 students escaped a three-alarm fire that heavily damaged a southeast Portland elementary school. Portland Fire Bureau spokeswoman Kim Kosmas says the school’s 17 teachers also made it out safely late Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire at Marysville Elementary School has not been …