Prince Andrew to step back from public duties

LONDON -- Britain's Prince Andrew said Wednesday he is stepping back from public duties with the queen's permission. Andrew said it has become clearto him in recent days that his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has become a "major distraction" to the royal family's work. He said he regrets his association with the former U.S. businessman and that he "deeply sympathizes" with his victims. The prince said his mother Queen Elizabeth II had given him permission to st