Romania's pro-Western parties agree to form a majority government after political turmoil

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s pro-European parties agreed Wednesday to form a majority government made up of groupings that were traditionally on opposite sides and shutting out far-right nationalists who made significant gains in the election on Dec. 1. Pro-Western parties...

Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. ...

DA suggests unusual idea for halting Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction

NEW YORK (AP) — Eager to preserve President-elect Donald Trump ’s hush money conviction even as he returns to office, prosecutors are suggesting various ways forward — including one based on how some courts handle criminal cases when defendants die. Trump’s spokesperson...

Ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, jailed for sexting child, eyes political comeback in New York City Council

Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has filed to run for a seat on the New York City Council, launching a potential political comeback after his once-promising career was destroyed by sexting scandals and later a criminal conviction for having illicit online contact with a child. ...

Report on attempts to kill Trump urges Secret Service to limit protection of foreign leaders

WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional task force investigating the attempts to kill Donald Trump during his presidential campaign is recommending changes to the Secret Service, including protecting fewer foreign leaders during the height of election season and considering moving the agency out of the...

Judge dismisses charges against 2 Detroit-area election workers in double-voting case

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (AP) — A judge dismissed charges Tuesday against two election workers in suburban Detroit who were accused of taking steps that allowed four people to vote twice in the summer primary election. Judge Joseph Oster said there wasn't sufficient evidence to send...

Another recount won't be ordered in a North Carolina court race, but protests are ahead

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina election officials won't order another recount in a close state Supreme Court race after a partial hand recount failed to suggest the trailing Republican candidate could overtake the Democratic incumbent. Following the completion of a machine...

Florida lawmaker's party switch increases Republican supermajority in the House

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — If last month's election wasn't painful enough for Florida Democrats, they're losing another state House seat after one of their members announced Monday that she's switching parties. State Rep. Susan Valdés, a former school board member who was...

Gambling companies spent big to defeat three California lawmakers. ‘We want to be respected’

California’s card rooms lost a costly legislative fight this year as they sought to kill a bill that would allow their competitors, tribal casinos, to sue them. But that didn’t stop the gambling halls from punishing a handful of lawmakers for their votes after Gov. Gavin Newsom...

Task force probing attempts to kill Trump suggests Secret Service limit protection of foreign leaders during campaign