Newsdesk

WATCH: Trump boosts school prayer, faith groups

By Collin Binkley, Elana Schor, Associated Press

Under orders from President Donald Trump, nine Cabinet departments proposed rules intended to remove “regulatory burdens” on religious organizations participating in federal programs. At the same time, the Education Department issued its first updated guidance on school prayer since 2003.

Taliban say they handed cease-fire offer to U.S. peace envoy

By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press

The offer is seen as an opportunity to open a window to an eventual peace deal that would allow the United States to bring home its estimated 13,000 troops and end the 18-year war in Afghanistan, America's longest conflict.

FBI arrests 3 white supremacists ahead of pro-gun rally

By Michael Kunzelman, Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

A former Canadian Armed Forces reservist and two other men who are linked to a violent white supremacist group were believed to be heading to a pro-gun rally next week in Virginia’s capital.

Man charged in Hanukkah attack pleads not guilty

By Associated Press

Grafton Thomas was arrested hours after five people were stabbed at an attack at a rabbi's home in Monsey, New York.

Who is Russia’s new PM? A career bureaucrat with no political aims

By Daria Litvinova, Associated Press

As a career bureaucrat who has been in charge of Russia's taxes for the past 10 years, Mikhail Mishustin has always kept a low profile and stayed away from politics.

Mets’ manager steps down in wake of sign-stealing scandal

By Mike Fitzpatrick, Associated Press

Carlos Beltrán is out as manager of the New York Mets before a single game, the latest fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball.

Home nations of plane crash victims seek compensation from Iran

By Jill Lawless, Associated Press

After a meeting in London, foreign ministers from Canada, the U.K., Afghanistan, Sweden and Ukraine urged Iran to allow a “thorough, independent and transparent international investigation," as well as a criminal probe and "impartial" judicial proceedings against those found responsible…

Rep. Liz Cheney to stay in House, decline Senate run

By Andrew Taylor, Alan Fram, Associated Press

Cheney told her colleagues at a closed-door meeting Thursday that she's staying put.

Iran’s president says there’s ‘no limit’ to nuclear enrichment now

By Nasser Karimi, Joseph Krauss, Associated Press

After the Jan. 3 airstrike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran said it would abandon all restrictions in the nuclear deal.

Rep. Kirkpatrick of Arizona seeking treatment for alcoholism

By Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona said Wednesday that she's taking time off from her congressional duties to seek treatment for alcohol dependence after a “serious” fall last week.