Lawyer opens defense of US Sen. Bob Menendez in his corruption trial by blaming his wife

NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez blamed the politician’s wife Wednesday for his legal problems, telling a jury at the start of a corruption trial that the Democrat wasn’t aware his spouse had taken gifts from a trio of businessmen and didn't know about cash and gold bars...

Openings expected Wednesday in Menendez corruption trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Opening statements were expected to occur Wednesday in the New York corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez after the jury selection process is completed in the morning, a federal judge said Tuesday. Judge Sidney H. Stein also made rulings that will define what...

FIFA meets with women's soccer decisions, anti-racism pledge and retreat from key reforms on agenda

FIFA’s gravest crisis erupted with police raids at its annual meeting in 2015 and nine years later international soccer’s 211 member federations gather this week in Thailand with some of the resulting anti-corruption reforms now in retreat. During three days of meetings starting...

Sen. Bob Menendez's corruption trial begins, his second in the last decade

NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Bob Menendez went on trial in Manhattan federal court Monday, accused of accepting bribes of gold and cash to use his influence to deliver favors that would help three New Jersey businessmen. The Democratic senator sat with his lawyers and listened as Judge...

For a second time, Sen. Bob Menendez faces a corruption trial. This time, it involves gold bars

NEW YORK (AP) — For the second time in a decade, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez faces a corruption trial Monday with his political career and freedom on the line in a criminal case that already has forced him out of one of the most powerful posts in Congress. The 70-year-old New Jersey...

Israel seizes Gaza's vital Rafah crossing, but the US says it isn't the full invasion many fear

CAIRO (AP) — Israeli troops seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday in what the White House described as a limited operation, as fears mount of a full-scale invasion of the southern city and talks with Hamas over a cease-fire and hostage release remain on a knife’s...

Hamas says latest cease-fire talks have ended. Israel vows military operation in 'very near future'

JERUSALEM (AP) — The latest round of Gaza cease-fire talks ended in Cairo after “in-depth and serious discussions,” the Hamas militant group said Sunday, reiterating key demands that Israel again rejected. After earlier signs of progress, the outlook appeared to dim as Prime Minister Benjamin...

Israel’s Netanyahu says his Cabinet has voted to shut down Qatar-owned Al Jazeera offices over tensions with the channel

Hamas official says group would lay down its arms if an independent Palestinian state is established

ISTANBUL (AP) — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established along...

Nepal's president asks visiting Qatari emir to help free student held hostage by Hamas

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's president asked the emir of Qatar, who is on a two-day visit to the South Asian country, to help release a Nepali student held hostage by Palestinian militant group Hamas, officials said on Wednesday. President Ram Chandra Poudel met with Sheik Tamim...