Joe Biden says U.S. still supports Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine — The United States will not sacrifice Ukraine in pursuit of Russian cooperation in Syria, Vice President Joseph Biden assured Ukrainian leaders Monday, even as the Obama administration...
View ArticleNational briefs: Naturalized U.S. citizen accused in conspiracy
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Federal authorities have arrested a naturalized U.S. citizen who they say was part of a conspiracy to provide firearm scopes, tactical vests and other supplies to a Syrian rebel group...
View ArticleShort U.S. spending bill needed to avoid shutdown, Ryan says
WASHINGTON — Congress will have to pass a short-term spending bill to keep the U.S. government operating after Friday as negotiations continue on a full-year, $1.1 trillion plan, House Republican...
View ArticleNation briefs: FBI to expand system to track fatal police shootings
WASHINGTON — The FBI’s system for tracking fatal police shootings is a “travesty” and the agency will replace it by 2017, dramatically expanding the information it gathers on violent police encounters...
View ArticleIn rare bipartisan vote, House passes visa waiver bill to restrict travel
WASHINGTON — In the aftermath of terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, Calif., and Paris, the House moved Tuesday to restrict travel to the U.S. by passing a bill that would end visa-free entry to those...
View ArticleTrump’s proposal to keep out Muslims crosses a line for many in both parties
Republican and Democratic leaders leveled some of their most forceful criticisms yet against Donald Trump on Tuesday, widely denouncing the GOP presidential front-runner’s call to bar Muslims from...
View ArticleSenate OKs education overhaul: States to decide how to assess performance
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday put individual states back at the head of the class when it comes to evaluating students, teachers, schools and school districts.
View ArticleNational briefs: Shooting suspect says ‘I’m guilty’
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Robert L. Dear Jr. was charged with 179 counts on Wednesday, including first-degree murder, in connection with the deadly shooting rampage last month at a Planned Parenthood...
View ArticleU.S. willing to do more to help Iraqis retake Ramadi
WASHINGTON — In a steady escalation of the fight against Islamic State militants, the U.S. military stands ready to send more American personnel and attack helicopters to Iraq, especially to help...
View ArticleNew draft of climate accord leaves big issues unresolved
LE BOURGET, France — With just two days left to reach a deal, negotiators at the world climate talks released a new draft Wednesday that drops the most radical ideas — including an international...
View ArticleBill Clinton holds fundraiser for Hillary today at Consol
Mayor Bill Peduto and county Executive Rich Fitzgerald had just five minutes with Bill Clinton before the former president addressed a fundraiser Thursday at Consol Energy Center.
View ArticleCongress in final-stage budget talks to avert a shutdown
WASHINGTON — Congress is poised to pass a stopgap spending bill to avert a shutdown today and keep the government running five more days as a standoff intensifies over controversial add-ons included in...
View ArticleU.S. launches trial of facial, eye scans on Mexican border
SAN DIEGO — The federal government on Thursday began collecting facial and eye scans of foreigners entering the U.S. at a busy border crossing with Mexico, a first step in one of its most ambitious...
View ArticlePodcast lets Bergdahl tell his side of the story
BOISE, Idaho — Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl says he walked off his base in Afghanistan to cause a crisis that would catch the attention of military brass.
View ArticleAs it fights IS, Pentagon seeks string of bases overseas
WASHINGTON — As American intelligence agencies grapple with the expansion of the Islamic State group beyond its headquarters in Syria, the Pentagon has proposed a new plan to the White House to build...
View ArticleConn. governor wants to ban guns for people on watch lists
The governor of Connecticut announced Thursday that he intends to make his state the first in the nation to ban firearms purchases for people on federal watch lists, echoing President Barack Obama’s...
View ArticleTrump draws crowd at Pa. GOP fundraiser in New York
NEW YORK — Pennsylvania’s Republican Party says its controversial decision to feature Donald Trump at a New York City fundraiser Friday paid off handsomely.
View ArticleObama, Congress avert federal shutdown, focus on taxes, spending
WASHINGTON — Avoiding the high drama of recent year-end budget fights, President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday keeping government agencies open into next week, giving White House and...
View ArticleClimate negotiators say global deal is close in Paris
LE BOURGET, France — Talks on a global pact to fight global warming appeared to make progress late Friday, with some negotiators telling The Associated Press a deal was close.
View ArticleCruz soars to front of the pack in Iowa poll; Trump support stays flat
Republican presidential candidate and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has surged ahead to become the latest front-runner in the campaign for the Iowa caucuses, dislodging Ben Carson and opening an impressive lead...
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