Nation

Esper defends shifting defense funds for Trump's border wall

By Robert Burns, Associated Press

Trump repeatedly promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico refused.

Michael Avenatti is convicted of trying to extort Nike

By Larry Neumeister, Associated Press

Avenatti did not testify, but his lawyers said he was following the wishes of an amateur youth basketball league director who wanted him to force Nike to fire corrupt executives and fix its culture. …

U.S. closes case against ex-FBI deputy director McCabe with no charges

By Eric Tucker, Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

The decision resolves a criminal investigation that spanned more than a year and began with a referral from the Justice Department’s inspector general.

Trump ignores Barr's request to stop tweeting about DOJ

By Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, Associated Press

Trump tweeted Friday that he had the legal right to ask the agency to intervene in a criminal case, but he's so far “chosen not to.”…

U.S. has reached a truce with Taliban in Afghanistan, official says

By Matthew Lee, Robert Burns, Associated Press

A senior U.S.official said Friday the United States and the Taliban have reached a truce agreement that will take effect “very soon” and could lead to withdrawals of American troops from Afghanistan.

Limbaugh draws criticism for remarks about Buttigieg kissing his husband

By Alan Fram, Associated Press

Rush Limbaugh, who Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom, drew bipartisan criticism for saying the country won't elect Pete Buttigieg president because he's been “kissing his husband" on stage after debates.

Facebook to allow paid political messages that it says aren't ads

By Barbara Ortutay, Amanda Seitz, Associated Press

Its policy change comes days after presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg exploited a loophole to run such humorous messages promoting his campaign on the accounts of popular Instagram personalities followed by millions of younger people.

House Democrats sharpen focus on Barr post-impeachment

By Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

Democrats have demanded more information about Barr's intervention in the case of Roger Stone, a longtime Trump confidant who was convicted in November of lying to Congress and other charges.

Trump's $1.5 billion uranium bailout triggers rush of mining plans

By Brady McCombs, Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

President Donald Trump's proposal to prop up the country's nuclear fuel industry has emboldened at least one company to take steps toward boosting operations at dormant uranium mines around the West, including outside Grand Canyon National Park.

2 years after school shooting, Florida 'red flag' law removes hundreds of guns

By Terry Spencer, Associated Press

The law, supported by legislators of both parties, has been applied more than 3,500 times since it was implemented a few weeks after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years ago Friday.