New government in crisis-hit Lebanon, but protests continue

BEIRUT (AP) — A new Cabinet was announced in crisis-hit Lebanon late Tuesday, breaking a months-long impasse amid mass protests against the country's ruling elite and a crippling financial crisis, but demonstrations and violence continued. Hassan Diab, a 60-year-old former professor at the American...

Oklahoma state senator announces resignation before session

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Republican state senator from Stroud announced on Tuesday plans his plans to resign, just days before the start of the legislative session. Sen. Jason Smalley announced in a news release that he would resign his seat, effective Jan. 31, to take a job as a senior account manager for...

Many Lebanese say acting FM has no business being at Davos

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s acting foreign minister is attending the elite annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss village Davos. In his home country, however, where mass protests have forced the government to resign, a campaign is afoot to have him uninvited. Many Lebanese took to social media to...

Capito files for reelection, faces potential race with Ojeda

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito filed for reelection Friday, setting up a potential 2020 showdown with former presidential candidate Richard Ojeda in West Virginia. Capito, a Republican, announced she was running last year but has now officially submitted her reelection paperwork...

Ohio prosecutor who pleaded guilty resigns amid pressure

FREMONT, Ohio (AP) — A county prosecutor who was accused of sexual harassment by female employees and later pleaded guilty to negligent assault resigned Friday under pressure from state officials. Sandusky County Prosecutor Tim Braun had faced a court hearing next week where Ohio's attorney general planned...

Ukrainian president rejects prime minister's resignation

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected his prime minister's offer to resign and asked him to stay on the job Friday after he was caught on tape saying Zelenskiy — a former sitcom star with no previous political experience — knows nothing about the economy. In a...

Ukraine's president has rejected the resignation of prime minister caught on tape disparaging him

Hezbollah warns of 'chaos' if Lebanon government delayed

BEIRUT (AP) — A senior Hezbollah official warned Friday that Lebanon could fall into chaos and “complete collapse” unless a new government is formed. Sheikh Ali Daamoush's comments came amid more bickering between politicians on the formation of a new Cabinet amid a crippling financial crisis...

Maryland Democratic Party announces director's resignation

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Democratic Party announced on Thursday that its executive director has resigned. Ben Smith had served in the role since his hire in December 2018 by previous party chairwoman Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. Rockeymoore Cummings resigned in November to run for U.S. Congress in...

Russia's foreign minister slams 'aggressive' US policies

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's foreign policy chief on Friday blamed what he described as “aggressive” U.S. policies for growing global tensions, noting Washington's reluctance to extend a key nuclear arms pact. Sergey Lavrov, who serves as acting foreign minister in the wake of Wednesday's...