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...

Idaho House expels member convicted of fraud by Texas jury

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho House of Representatives on Thursday expelled one of its members a day after he was convicted of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government. The House voted 65-0 to expel Republican Rep. John Green of Post Falls. It is the first ever expulsion from the Idaho Legislature, state...

GOP group wants SD party chair to resign over Saudi lobbying

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A group of South Dakota Republicans wants the state party chairman to resign because of his lobbying work for Saudi Arabia. The Fall River County Republicans’ Central Committee unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday night alleging that state GOP Chairman Dan Lederman...

Putin fast-tracks effort to extend his rule in Russia

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday fast-tracked work on constitutional changes that could keep him in power well past the end of his term in 2024 while lawmakers quickly sealed his choice for new prime minister. Speaking to a working group created to draft constitutional changes, Putin cast...