Trump contributes foreword to paperback of McConnell book

NEW YORK (AP) — The paperback edition of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s “The Long Game” includes a foreword from a well-placed political ally: President Donald Trump. In the foreword, shared Friday by the publisher Sentinel with The Associated Press, Trump praises the...

Kavanaugh avoids controversy in first major appearance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Brett Kavanaugh called himself grateful and optimistic Thursday, avoiding controversy in his first major public appearance since his stormy Supreme Court confirmation a year ago. The 54-year-old Kavanaugh chose a friendly audience for his remarks, a dinner of more than 2,000...

Teen SC school shooter gets life for killing 1st grader

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A school shooter who was 14 when he killed a first grader on a school playground in South Carolina after killing his father in their home was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without parole. Jesse Osborne targeted Townville Elementary School because he had spent seven years there....

North Carolina redistricting proposal threatens 2 incumbents

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The political future of two GOP incumbents could be endangered as North Carolina Republican legislators advanced a new congressional district map Thursday in response to a partisan gerrymandering lawsuit. The reconfigured districts have become necessary since state judges blocked use...

Trump wants Supreme Court to block subpoena for his taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to block a subpoena for his tax returns, in a test of the president’s ability to defy investigations. The filing Thursday sets the stage for a high court showdown over the tax returns Trump has refused to release, unlike every...

Trump asks Supreme Court to block subpoena for his tax returns, in test of president’s ability to defy investigations

Senate confirms White House lawyer as appeals court judge

WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House lawyer won Senate confirmation as a federal appeals court judge Thursday despite complaints by lawmakers from both parties about his record on immigration, race, women's equality and LGBTQ rights. Steven Menashi, an associate White House counsel, was confirmed by a 51-41...

Pope taps fellow Jesuit as Vatican’s finance minister

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Thursday appointed a fellow Jesuit to be the Vatican’s finance minister, filling a crucial position left vacant for more than two years after Cardinal George Pell left Rome to stand trial on sex abuse charges in his native Australia. The appointment of the Rev....

India court rejects probe of purchase of French fighter jets

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top court on Thursday rejected petitions seeking a probe into the government’s purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation over pricing issues. Three Supreme Court judges said they didn’t see any merit in the petitions filed by two...

Indian court to set law on women’s entry in temples, mosques

NEW DELHI (AP) — India's Supreme Court said Thursday it will set law on women’s entry into temples and mosques after being asked to review its decision lifting a ban on some women entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala state. The court deferred a decision on petitions seeking a review of its 2018...