FBI examines Kushner meetings with Russians
The Washington Post reports that the FBI is investigating meetings that President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had in December with Russian officials.Kushner, a key White House adviser, had meetings late last year with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, and Russian banker Sergey Gorkov.The Post story cites anonymous "people familiar with the investigation," who say the FBI investigation does not mean that Kushner is suspected of a crime.Kushner attorney Jamie Gorelick says Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about the meetings.
The Washington Post reports that the FBI is investigating meetings that President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had in December with Russian officials.Kushner, a key White House adviser, had meetings late last year with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, and Russian banker Sergey Gorkov.The Post story cites anonymous "people familiar with the investigation," who say the FBI investigation does not mean that Kushner is suspected of a crime.Kushner attorney Jamie Gorelick says Kushner previously volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about the meetings.
New York Times: Pres. Trump tells Russians James Comey was a 'nut job'
WASHINGTON — During his meeting with Russian officials last week, President Donald Trump said recently fired FBI Director James Comey was a "nut job" whose ouster relieved "great pressure" on him, according to a report Friday in The New York Times.The Times cited notes from a May 10 Oval Office meeting, the day after Pres.
WASHINGTON — During his meeting with Russian officials last week, President Donald Trump said recently fired FBI Director James Comey was a "nut job" whose ouster relieved "great pressure" on him, according to a report Friday in The New York Times.The Times cited notes from a May 10 Oval Office meeting, the day after Pres.
President Trump claims 'witch hunt'; GOP puts hope in special counsel
WASHINGTON — Brimming with resentment, President Donald Trump fervently denied on Thursday that his campaign had collaborated with Russia or that he'd tried to kill an FBI probe of the issue, contending that "even my enemies" recognize his innocence and declaring himself the most unfairly hounded president in history.Asked point-blank if he'd done anything that might merit prosecution or even impeachment, he said no and then added concerning the allegations and questions that have mounted as he nears the four-month mark of his presidency: "I think it's totally ridiculous.
WASHINGTON — Brimming with resentment, President Donald Trump fervently denied on Thursday that his campaign had collaborated with Russia or that he'd tried to kill an FBI probe of the issue, contending that "even my enemies" recognize his innocence and declaring himself the most unfairly hounded president in history.Asked point-blank if he'd done anything that might merit prosecution or even impeachment, he said no and then added concerning the allegations and questions that have mounted as he nears the four-month mark of his presidency: "I think it's totally ridiculous.
US airstrike hits pro-Syria government forces for first time
WASHINGTON — A U.S. airstrike struck pro-Syrian government forces that the coalition said posed a threat to American troops and allied rebels operating near the border with Jordan on Thursday, May 18th -- the first such close confrontation between U.S. forces and fighters backing President Bashar Assad.The coalition said "apparent" Russian attempts to stop pro-Assad forces from moving toward Tanf, as well as warning shots and a show of force, had failed.American officials and Syrian activists said the strike hit in the desert near the border with Jordan, though it was unclear if it struck the Syrian army or just militias allied with the government.The region around Tanf, where the borders of Jordan, Syria and Iraq meet, has been considered a de-conflicted zone, under an agreement between the U.S. and Russia.Speaking to reporters, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the U.S. will defend its troops in case of "aggressive" steps against them.
WASHINGTON — A U.S. airstrike struck pro-Syrian government forces that the coalition said posed a threat to American troops and allied rebels operating near the border with Jordan on Thursday, May 18th -- the first such close confrontation between U.S. forces and fighters backing President Bashar Assad.The coalition said "apparent" Russian attempts to stop pro-Assad forces from moving toward Tanf, as well as warning shots and a show of force, had failed.American officials and Syrian activists said the strike hit in the desert near the border with Jordan, though it was unclear if it struck the Syrian army or just militias allied with the government.The region around Tanf, where the borders of Jordan, Syria and Iraq meet, has been considered a de-conflicted zone, under an agreement between the U.S. and Russia.Speaking to reporters, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the U.S. will defend its troops in case of "aggressive" steps against them.
President Trump talk with Russians 'wholly appropriate,' adviser says
WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday, May 16th defended President Donald Trump's disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials as "wholly appropriate," as President Trump tried to beat back criticism from fellow Republicans and calm international allies increasingly wary about sharing their secrets with the new president.The highly classified information about an Islamic State plot was collected by Israel, a crucial source of intelligence and close partner in the fight against some of the America's fiercest threats in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday, May 16th defended President Donald Trump's disclosure of classified information to senior Russian officials as "wholly appropriate," as President Trump tried to beat back criticism from fellow Republicans and calm international allies increasingly wary about sharing their secrets with the new president.The highly classified information about an Islamic State plot was collected by Israel, a crucial source of intelligence and close partner in the fight against some of the America's fiercest threats in the Middle East.
Wisconsin Republicans want answers about President Trump meeting
MADISON — House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans from Wisconsin called Tuesday for President Donald Trump to report to Congress about what he said during a private meeting with senior Russian officials last week.President Trump defended his right to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets Tuesday he has "an absolute right" as president to do so.
MADISON — House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans from Wisconsin called Tuesday for President Donald Trump to report to Congress about what he said during a private meeting with senior Russian officials last week.President Trump defended his right to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets Tuesday he has "an absolute right" as president to do so.
Russia denies President Trump shared classified secrets
Russia's foreign ministry spokesman has denied reports that President Donald Trump revealed classified information to senior officials during the Russian minister's visit to the Oval Office last week.The Washington Post reported on Monday that the revelation put a source of intelligence on the Islamic State at risk.Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, on Facebook on Tuesday described the reports as "yet another fake."The reports came several days after the White House faced criticism for a possible security breach after it allowed a Russian news service photographer into the Oval Office to snap photos of Trump with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week.
Russia's foreign ministry spokesman has denied reports that President Donald Trump revealed classified information to senior officials during the Russian minister's visit to the Oval Office last week.The Washington Post reported on Monday that the revelation put a source of intelligence on the Islamic State at risk.Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, on Facebook on Tuesday described the reports as "yet another fake."The reports came several days after the White House faced criticism for a possible security breach after it allowed a Russian news service photographer into the Oval Office to snap photos of Trump with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week.
US: Syria is burning bodies to hide proof of mass killings
WASHINGTON — In a move aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Russia to push the Syrian government into peace talks with rebels, the United States has accused Syria of executing thousands of imprisoned political opponents and burning their bodies in a crematorium to hide the evidence.But the decision to release newly declassified information supporting the allegation may also test the Trump administration's own willingness to respond to atrocities in Syria, , other than chemical weapons attacks, which it blames on President Bashar Assad's government.The accusation of mass killings and efforts to cover them up came as President Donald Trump weighs options in Syria, where the U.S. launched cruise missiles on a government air base last month after accusing Assad's military of killing scores of civilians with a sarin-like nerve agent.
WASHINGTON — In a move aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Russia to push the Syrian government into peace talks with rebels, the United States has accused Syria of executing thousands of imprisoned political opponents and burning their bodies in a crematorium to hide the evidence.But the decision to release newly declassified information supporting the allegation may also test the Trump administration's own willingness to respond to atrocities in Syria, , other than chemical weapons attacks, which it blames on President Bashar Assad's government.The accusation of mass killings and efforts to cover them up came as President Donald Trump weighs options in Syria, where the U.S. launched cruise missiles on a government air base last month after accusing Assad's military of killing scores of civilians with a sarin-like nerve agent.
N. Korea test-fires missile, challenging new leader in South
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Sunday test-launched a ballistic missile that flew as far as 800 kilometers (500 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, the South Korean, Japanese and U.S. militaries said.
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Sunday test-launched a ballistic missile that flew as far as 800 kilometers (500 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan, the South Korean, Japanese and U.S. militaries said.
James Comey sought more Russia probe resources before firing
WASHINGTON — In the days before his firing by President Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey told U.S. lawmakers he had asked the Justice Department for more resources to pursue the bureau's investigation into Russia's interference in last year's presidential election, three U.S. officials said Wednesday, May 10th.The officials said Comey met last week with Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, to make the request.
WASHINGTON — In the days before his firing by President Donald Trump, FBI Director James Comey told U.S. lawmakers he had asked the Justice Department for more resources to pursue the bureau's investigation into Russia's interference in last year's presidential election, three U.S. officials said Wednesday, May 10th.The officials said Comey met last week with Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, to make the request.
US watched Russia hack French systems during election
WASHINGTON — The United States watched Russians hack France's computer networks during the election and tipped off French officials before it became public, a U.S. cyber official told the Senate on Tuesday.France's election campaign commission said Saturday that "a significant amount of data" — and some fake information — was leaked on social networks following a hacking attack on centrist Emmanuel Macron's successful presidential campaign.
WASHINGTON — The United States watched Russians hack France's computer networks during the election and tipped off French officials before it became public, a U.S. cyber official told the Senate on Tuesday.France's election campaign commission said Saturday that "a significant amount of data" — and some fake information — was leaked on social networks following a hacking attack on centrist Emmanuel Macron's successful presidential campaign.
After being fired by President Trump, Sally Yates to testify on Russia
WASHINGTON — An Obama administration official who warned the Trump White House about contacts between one of its key advisers and Russia is set to speak publicly Monday for the first time about the concerns she raised.Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is testifying before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
WASHINGTON — An Obama administration official who warned the Trump White House about contacts between one of its key advisers and Russia is set to speak publicly Monday for the first time about the concerns she raised.Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is testifying before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Syrian man who sued over travel bans brings family to US
MADISON — An attorney for a Syrian man living in Wisconsin who sued over President Donald Trump's travel bans said Friday that the man has been reunited with his wife and young daughter after three years.Attorney Vincent Levy told The Associated Press that his client's wife and daughter obtained their visas and traveled out of Syria to Jordan and then to the United States.
MADISON — An attorney for a Syrian man living in Wisconsin who sued over President Donald Trump's travel bans said Friday that the man has been reunited with his wife and young daughter after three years.Attorney Vincent Levy told The Associated Press that his client's wife and daughter obtained their visas and traveled out of Syria to Jordan and then to the United States.
Seoul: North Korea fails in missile test-fire near its capital
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea test-fired a mid-range ballistic missile from the western part of its country Saturday, but the launch apparently failed, South Korea and the United States said Saturday.The test will be condemned by outsiders as yet another step in the North's push for a nuclear-tipped missile that can strike the U.S. mainland.South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the North fired the unidentified missile from around Pukchang, which is near the capital Pyongyang, but provided no other details.A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said the missile was likely a medium-range KN-17 ballistic missile.
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea test-fired a mid-range ballistic missile from the western part of its country Saturday, but the launch apparently failed, South Korea and the United States said Saturday.The test will be condemned by outsiders as yet another step in the North's push for a nuclear-tipped missile that can strike the U.S. mainland.South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the North fired the unidentified missile from around Pukchang, which is near the capital Pyongyang, but provided no other details.A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said the missile was likely a medium-range KN-17 ballistic missile.
Friendly fire may have killed 2 Army Rangers in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — Two Army Rangers killed during a raid on an Islamic State compound in eastern Afghanistan may have died as a result of friendly fire during the opening minutes of the fierce, three-hour firefight, the Pentagon said Friday.Navy Capt.
WASHINGTON — Two Army Rangers killed during a raid on an Islamic State compound in eastern Afghanistan may have died as a result of friendly fire during the opening minutes of the fierce, three-hour firefight, the Pentagon said Friday.Navy Capt.
Afghan officials: 100 casualties in Afghanistan attack
KABUL, Afghanistan — Authorities on Saturday raised the casualty toll to 100 in an attack on a military compound in northern Afghanistan a day earlier by gunmen and suicide bombers wearing army uniforms.Gen.
KABUL, Afghanistan — Authorities on Saturday raised the casualty toll to 100 in an attack on a military compound in northern Afghanistan a day earlier by gunmen and suicide bombers wearing army uniforms.Gen.
Mexico sees 2,020 killings in March, worst month since 2011
MEXICO CITY — Mexico has surpassed 2,000 homicides in a month for the first time since the summer of 2011 and had more killings in the first quarter of 2017 than in the start of any year in at least two decades, according to data released Friday.Unlike 2011, when bloody cartel clashes in Ciudad Juarez drove the national toll to new heights, the killings pushing the 2017 total have been spread across a number of states.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico has surpassed 2,000 homicides in a month for the first time since the summer of 2011 and had more killings in the first quarter of 2017 than in the start of any year in at least two decades, according to data released Friday.Unlike 2011, when bloody cartel clashes in Ciudad Juarez drove the national toll to new heights, the killings pushing the 2017 total have been spread across a number of states.
China launches its 1st unmanned cargo spacecraft
BEIJING — China on Thursday launched its first unmanned cargo spacecraft on a mission to dock with the country's space station, marking further progress in the ambitious Chinese space program.The Tianzhou 1 blasted off at 7:41 p.m. (1141 GMT) atop a latest-generation Long March 7 rocket from China's newest spacecraft launch site, Wenchang, on the island province of Hainan.Minutes later, as the spacecraft cleared the atmosphere, the mission was declared a success by administrators at ground control on the outskirts of Beijing.It is programmed to conduct scientific experiments after reaching the now-crewless Tiangong 2, China's second space station.
BEIJING — China on Thursday launched its first unmanned cargo spacecraft on a mission to dock with the country's space station, marking further progress in the ambitious Chinese space program.The Tianzhou 1 blasted off at 7:41 p.m. (1141 GMT) atop a latest-generation Long March 7 rocket from China's newest spacecraft launch site, Wenchang, on the island province of Hainan.Minutes later, as the spacecraft cleared the atmosphere, the mission was declared a success by administrators at ground control on the outskirts of Beijing.It is programmed to conduct scientific experiments after reaching the now-crewless Tiangong 2, China's second space station.
South Korea: North Korea missile test ends in failure
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says that North Korea has attempted to launch a missile from an eastern coastal city, but the launch appeared to end in failure.The statement Sunday said it wasn't clear what kind of missile was involved.North Korea launched a long-range rocket and conducted two nuclear tests last year, including its most powerful to date, and there have been a slew of shorter range missile firings.North Korea's goal is a long-range nuclear missile that can strike the continental United States.Sunday's launch comes a day after the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says that North Korea has attempted to launch a missile from an eastern coastal city, but the launch appeared to end in failure.The statement Sunday said it wasn't clear what kind of missile was involved.North Korea launched a long-range rocket and conducted two nuclear tests last year, including its most powerful to date, and there have been a slew of shorter range missile firings.North Korea's goal is a long-range nuclear missile that can strike the continental United States.Sunday's launch comes a day after the 105th birthday of late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.
Afghan official: Massive US bomb death toll rises to 94
KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of militants killed in an attack by the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military has risen to 94, an Afghan official said Saturday.Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said the number of Islamic State group dead was up from the 36 reported a day earlier.
KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of militants killed in an attack by the largest non-nuclear weapon ever used in combat by the U.S. military has risen to 94, an Afghan official said Saturday.Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar, said the number of Islamic State group dead was up from the 36 reported a day earlier.