District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – The countdown towards AIDS' extinction began this morning in honor of the 24th annual World AIDS Day.

President Obama and a panel of experts, celebrities and social leaders promised that their combined efforts could start the ending of the disease's global epidemic as early as 2015. The group's bold statement is based on the idea that before the next decade, an entire generation of births could occur without new infections through prevention efforts.

"Today we come together across countries, cultures and faiths to combat the pandemic of AIDS," Obama told a packed Jack Morton Auditorium on George Washington University's campus. "Back in those early days, few could imagine we'd talk of the possibility of an AIDS-free world. Make no mistake – we're going to win this fight." more >>

The D.C. Office of Human Rights dismissed a complaint Tuesday filed against The Catholic University of America. George Washington University law professor John F. Banzhaf III filed the complaint in response to CUA’s announcement in June that they would return to same-gender dorms.

The dismissal affirms the university’s position that it was not in violation of the District of Columbia Human Rights Act (DCHRA). The OHR order regarding the complaint states that “[a]fter examining the legislative history of the Act … OHR finds that the Complainant fails to state a claim for which relief can be granted under the Act because same-sex dormitories do not constitute unlawful discrimination.”

The order goes on to say that the DCHRA does not forbid colleges and universities from making gender-based distinctions between students. If that were the case, OHR says, it would “include a prohibition on same-sex bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams, which would lead to absurd results.” more >>

As Christmas approaches, U.S. House Chaplain Father Patrick Conroy said there is a sharp contrast between the charitable, peaceful and hopeful nature of the season and the often painfully partisan atmosphere in the Congress.

For many, the Christmas season is a joyous time that inspires charity, hope and happiness.

"The magic and wonder and the hope of Christmas is there," Conroy described to CP. more >>

The suspected gunman accused of firing shots near the White House last week has been charged with attempting to assassinate President Barack Obama or members of his staff.

Idaho-native Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, 21, was arrested yesterday at a Hampton Inn hotel in Indiana, Pa., for allegedly firing two shots at the White House, one of which hit an exterior window but was stopped by bulletproof glass. He made his first federal court appearance in Pittsburgh Thursday, but will be sent to Washington, D.C. to face the charges.

Police said the shots were fired last Friday night from a moving car by a driver about a half mile south of the White House. The car was found abandoned a few blocks away with the assault rifle used to fire the shots, which was then traced backed to Ortega-Hernandez. more >>

Pennsylvania senators dropped their support for former football coach Joe Paterno as a nominee for the Presidential Medal of Freedom following allegations that his assistant coach sexually abused boys.

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey announced Thursday that they are withdrawing previous letters to the White House, in which they nominated the legendary Pennsylvania State University coach for the highest civilian award.

The announcement was made the same day Paterno was fired from the university’s coaching staff. more >>

WASHINGTON – Americans United for Life celebrated its 40th Anniversary Gala Wednesday night at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Chairman of the Board for AUL Jay Cunningham kicked off the evening with a brief history lesson to remind the 300 in attendance what the world was like 40 years ago when AUL began, and said their vision had not waivered for the unborn.

AUL works so that the unborn will be “welcome in life, and protected in law,” he said. more >>