Trump sends 1,500 troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will bolster its military presence in the Middle East with an additional 1,500 troops, President Donald Trump said Friday amid heightened tensions with Iran. Trump said the troops would have a "mostly protective" role as part of a build-up that began this month in response to...

Senators: Trump to invoke emergency to sell arms to Saudis

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration notified Congress on Friday that it is invoking a rarely used provision in federal law to bypass congressional review of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, two Democratic senators said. The administration is issuing an emergency declaration that will allow it to sell...

The Latest: US blames Iran for tanker bombings, Iraq attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the United States and Iran tensions (all times local): 1:25 p.m. A senior Pentagon officer says the U.S. blames Iran and its proxies for the recent tanker bombings near United Arab Emirates and a rocket attack in Iraq. Vice Admiral Michael Gilday says the U.S. has a high...

Ambulance called after US Rep. Nadler appears to swoon

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler was taken to a hospital for an evaluation Friday after he appeared to swoon during a news conference in New York City. The chairman of the House Judiciary committee had given remarks at an event about speed enforcement cameras in school zones when he slumped in his...

NOT REAL NEWS: Altered video makes Pelosi seem to slur words

Video footage that was slowed down to give the false impression that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was slurring her words is circulating widely across social media platforms. The distorted video is based on real footage from a Center for American Progress conference in Washington on Wednesday, showing Pelosi...

US Senate confirms Michael Bailey for US Attorney in Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michael G. Bailey as United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. Bailey's confirmation was approved Thursday by a Senate voice vote. President Donald Trump nominated the Arizona attorney to the post on Feb. 12. Bailey attended law school at the...

GOP conservative temporarily blocks $19B disaster bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House GOP conservative complaining of Washington's free-spending and opaque ways blocked a long-overdue $19 billion disaster aid bill on Friday, extending a tempest over hurricane and flood relief that has left the measure meandering for months. Texas Republican Chip Roy, a former aide...

Trump expands Barr power over classified Russia probe info

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has granted Attorney General William Barr new powers to review and potentially release classified information related to the origins of the Russia investigation, a move aimed at accelerating Barr's inquiry into whether U.S. officials improperly surveilled Trump's...

Oklahoma governor signs $8.1B budget, state's largest ever

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed the state's largest-ever appropriations bill, an $8.1 billion spending plan that funds pay raises for teachers and state workers and pumps tens of millions more dollars into public schools. Flanked by Republican legislative leaders, the first-year...

US officials: White House notifies Congress it plans to send 1,500 troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions