Wife of missing ex-FBI agent blames Iran but critical of US

WASHINGTON (AP) — The wife of a former FBI agent who vanished in Iran in 2007 expressed bitter frustration Thursday about efforts to get her husband back home. Christine Levinson told a House panel that she holds Iran responsible for the disappearance of her husband, Robert, but she also said three American administrations have failed Read more about Wife of missing ex-FBI agent blames Iran but critical of US[…]

Minnesota probe finds no proof stolen money aided terrorists

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s legislative auditor said Wednesday that an investigation found no proof that money defrauded from a state child care program found its way to terrorist organizations overseas. Lawmakers asked Legislative Auditor James Nobles to look into the issue after KMSP-TV reported last year that the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program Read more about Minnesota probe finds no proof stolen money aided terrorists[…]

Senate backs Trump court nominee over home-state objections

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee for a Philadelphia-based appeals court won Senate confirmation Tuesday, despite opposition from the two senators representing his home state of New Jersey. The Senate voted 54-45 to approve Paul Matey to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, giving the court a majority of Republican appointees. Matey, a Read more about Senate backs Trump court nominee over home-state objections[…]

Democrats: Milwaukee convention choice shows party values

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee will host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, party leaders announced Monday, highlighting the battleground state of Wisconsin that helped elect President Donald Trump and now will launch an opponent who could oust him. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez chose Milwaukee over Houston and Miami after deliberations lingered longer than party Read more about Democrats: Milwaukee convention choice shows party values[…]

Parents blame North Korea’s ‘evil regime’ for son’s death

CINCINNATI (AP) — Unlike President Donald Trump, Otto Warmbier’s parents don’t believe North Korea’s leader. The parents of the American college student who was sent home from North Korea in a vegetative state spoke out Friday, after Trump’s comment this week that he takes Kim Jong Un “at his word” that he was unaware of Read more about Parents blame North Korea’s ‘evil regime’ for son’s death[…]

Biden walks back praise for Pence following criticism

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden’s tendency to talk about his friendships with Republicans landed him in trouble on Thursday when he called his successor, Mike Pence, a “decent guy.” The comment was quickly criticized by fellow Democrats, including actress and activist Cynthia Nixon, who tweeted that Biden had complimented “America’s most Read more about Biden walks back praise for Pence following criticism[…]

US says closing consulate in Jerusalem no policy shift

JERUSALEM (AP) — The United States has officially shuttered its consulate in Jerusalem, downgrading the status of its main diplomatic mission to the Palestinians by folding it into the U.S. Embassy to Israel. For decades, the consulate functioned as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians. Now, that outreach will be handled by a Palestinian Read more about US says closing consulate in Jerusalem no policy shift[…]

Hillary Clinton rules out a rematch with Trump in 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton says she won’t run for president in 2020, but vows she’s “not going anywhere.” The former secretary of state, senator and first lady ruled out another campaign during an interview posted Monday by New York TV station News12 . Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump, says, Read more about Hillary Clinton rules out a rematch with Trump in 2020[…]

Senate confirms White House official Rao for appeals court

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Brett Kavanaugh on a high-profile appeals court. Senators voted 53-46 to confirm White House official Neomi Rao for a seat on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Rao, 45, heads the White House Office of Information Read more about Senate confirms White House official Rao for appeals court[…]

The Latest: O’Rourke still not saying whether he’s running

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the Democratic contenders for president (all times local): 3 p.m. A documentary released Saturday about Beto O’Rourke’s near-upset of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz contains no hints about his 2020 plans — and the candidate himself was just as coy after its screening. O’Rourke attended the premiere of “Running Read more about The Latest: O’Rourke still not saying whether he’s running[…]