First guilty plea, indictment of Trump aides in Russia probe
National / Politics / U.S. News

First guilty plea, indictment of Trump aides in Russia probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a black Monday for Donald Trump’s White House, the special counsel investigating possible coordination between the Kremlin and the Trump presidential campaign announced the first charges, indicting Trump’s former campaign chairman and revealing how an adviser lied to the FBI about meetings with Russian intermediaries. The formal charges against a total … Continue reading

Congress at crossroads after another GOP health care failure
National / Politics / U.S. News

Congress at crossroads after another GOP health care failure

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is at a crossroads after Republicans’ stinging failure to repeal Barack Obama’s health care law. But what’s next — more partisan conflict or a pragmatic shift toward cooperation? Unless Republicans and Democrats in Congress can work together, and bring along an often unpredictable President Donald Trump, political conflict over health care … Continue reading

US stocks extend gains to a 5th day as tech companies rise
Business / Politics / U.S. News

US stocks extend gains to a 5th day as tech companies rise

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are up for the fifth consecutive day Wednesday as technology and high-dividend companies move higher. The gains are slight as retailers including jewelry and car parts sellers are falling and energy companies decline with oil prices. Investors are waiting for the Federal Reserve to release minutes from its meeting … Continue reading

Trump says he’s ‘very close’ to naming a new FBI director
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Trump says he’s ‘very close’ to naming a new FBI director

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is “very close” to naming a new FBI director to replace the one he fired more than a week ago. Asked how close he is to making an announcement, Trump said, “soon.” During an Oval Office appearance with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, Trump was … Continue reading

Trump has ‘no intention’ of releasing tax returns
Business / Local / National / Politics / U.S. News

Trump has ‘no intention’ of releasing tax returns

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump “has no intention” of releasing his taxes returns to the public, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Wednesday, asserting Americans have “plenty of information” about the president’s financial matters. For decades, presidents have released their tax returns. But Trump has so far refused, suggesting he would share the tax documents … Continue reading

UN Syria envoy not expecting breakthrough at Geneva talks
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UN Syria envoy not expecting breakthrough at Geneva talks

GENEVA (AP) — Playing down expectations, the U.N. envoy for Syria said Wednesday that he’s not expecting a breakthrough in the first U.N.-mediated peace talks between government representatives and the opposition in 10 months, rather hoping to build momentum toward peace after nearly six years of war. Staffan de Mistura spoke a day before convening … Continue reading

Iraqi troops advance on western Mosul as Mattis holds talks
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Iraqi troops advance on western Mosul as Mattis holds talks

SOUTH OF MOSUL, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi forces advanced Monday into the southern outskirts of Mosul on the second day of a push to drive Islamic State militants from the city’s western half, as the visiting U.S. defense secretary met with officials to discuss the fight against the extremists. With aerial support from the U.S.-led … Continue reading

Israel fumbles goodwill visit of NFL players
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Israel fumbles goodwill visit of NFL players

JERUSALEM (AP) — It was supposed to be a feel-good visit by a group of professional football players to give a boost to image-conscious Israel. But in an embarrassing fumble by the Israeli government, only five of 11 NFL players in the delegation showed up after being blitzed by Palestinian activists opposed to the visit. … Continue reading

Hezbollah leader says ‘idiot’ Trump makes him optimistic
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Hezbollah leader says ‘idiot’ Trump makes him optimistic

BEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group says the world will benefit from having an “idiot” in the White House. Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech Sunday that his group is much stronger than when it was created in the early 1980s and should not be concerned about threats from the West. … Continue reading

Jordan commander: IS expands hold in border camp for Syrians
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Jordan commander: IS expands hold in border camp for Syrians

JORDAN-SYRIA BORDER (AP) — Armed Islamic State extremists are expanding their influence in a sprawling camp for displaced Syrians on Jordan’s border, posing a growing threat to the U.S.-allied kingdom, a senior Jordanian military commander said. Brig. Gen. Sami Kafawin, chief of Jordan’s border forces, spoke to The Associated Press during a tour of the … Continue reading

Trump urges Israeli premier to ‘hold off’ on settlements
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Trump urges Israeli premier to ‘hold off’ on settlements

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Israel’s prime minister to “hold off” on building Jewish settlements in land the Palestinians claim for their future state, yet held back from explicitly endorsing support for a future independent Palestine. After weeks of dancing around the issue of expanded Israeli settlements, Trump made the request … Continue reading

North Korea reportedly test fires missile, challenging US
Asia / International News / National / Technology / U.S. News / Uncategorized

North Korea reportedly test fires missile, challenging US

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea reportedly fired a ballistic missile Sunday, Feb 12, 2017  in what would be its first such test of the year and an implicit challenge to President Donald Trump, who stood with the Japanese leader as Shinzo Abe called the move “absolutely intolerable.” There was no immediate confirmation from … Continue reading