Dec 20 Putin claims U.S. actions are raising the threat of nuclear war By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir said that if the U.S. puts intermediate-range missiles in Europe, Russia will be forced to take countermeasures. Continue reading
Dec 20 In memo, Trump's AG pick William Barr criticized aspect of Mueller probe By Eric Tucker, Associated Press The document expresses concern with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump obstructed justice, which Trump denies. It could factor into Barr's confirmation hearings and prompt questions about whether he can be unbiased in overseeing the investigation. Continue reading
Dec 19 What we learned -- and still don't know -- from Senate reports on Russian election propaganda By Harry Zahn, Joshua Barajas The reports focus on the machinations of the Internet Research Agency, a well-funded organization within Russia’s propaganda wing that was indicted in February by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team for plotting to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Continue reading
Dec 18 Watch 7:56 News Wrap: Russia blasts Senate conclusions on influence campaign In our Tuesday news wrap, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Senate findings that Russia tried to influence U.S. elections via a sweeping disinformation campaign, calling them “baseless.” Also, after losing to Sen.-Elect Kyrsten Sinema in November, Republican… Continue watching
Dec 13 Trump's new Africa strategy takes sharp aim at China and Russia By Maria Danilova, Cara Anna, Associated Press The Trump administration on Thursday announced a sharp refocus of its Africa strategy to counter what it called the "predatory" practices of China and Russia, which are "deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive… Continue reading
Dec 13 In plea deal, Russian Maria Butina admits to being a secret agent By Michael Balsamo, Associated Press The gun rights activist, who was arrested in July, is accused of gathering intelligence on American officials and political organizations. Prosecutors say Butina's work was directed by a former Russian lawmaker. Continue reading
Dec 12 Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen faces possible jail sentence By Jim Mustian, Larry Neumeister, Associated Press NEW YORK — Michael Cohen, a lawyer who made his career protecting President Donald Trump, is set to learn Wednesday whether his decision to cooperate with federal investigators will lessen his punishment for crimes including making illegal hush-money payments to… Continue reading
Dec 10 Judge sets court date for ex-Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort By Associated Press A judge has set a court date for this week for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort after prosecutors with the special counsel's office detailed lies they say he told them. Continue reading
Dec 10 Trump blames Michael Cohen for hush money 'liability' By Associated Press President Donald Trump is defending the hush money payments made by his former lawyer to two women during his 2016 campaign as "a simple private transaction." He tweeted Monday that if there was wrongdoing, it's lawyer Michael Cohen's "liability" and… Continue reading
Dec 06 The U.S. threatened to withdraw from a major nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Now what? By Gabriela Martinez The clock officially started ticking Tuesday after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as the INF Treaty, if Russia does not comply with the treaty’s terms in 60… Continue reading