Flake's Senate farewell speech cites threats to democracy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, President Donald Trump's most vocal Republican adversary in the Senate, cautioned in his farewell address Thursday that the "threats to our democracy from within and without are real." Flake declined to seek re-election to a second term, acknowledging that his...

Prosecutors allege fraud, kickbacks and murder-for-hire plot

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Russian couple who lived a lavish life behind the gates of a sprawling North Carolina mansion hid an explosive secret, prosecutors said this week: They were living off a scheme that produced $150 million in kickbacks from subcontractors seeking business with Russia's military. On top...

In plea deal, Russian woman admits to being a secret agent

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Russian woman accused of being a secret agent admitted Thursday that she conspired to infiltrate the American gun-rights movement to gather intelligence on conservative political groups as Donald Trump rose to power. Maria Butina, 30, agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge as...

A look at where the investigations related to Trump stand

A look at where the investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him: WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? Trump is facing criminal investigations in Washington and New York. Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia and whether the...

EU leaders agree to prolong Russia sanctions over Ukraine

BRUSSELS (AP) — A top European Union official says EU leaders have agreed to prolong economic sanctions against Russia over its destabilization of Ukraine. The measures targeting Russia's economy were due to expire next month, but lifting them depends on whether the EU considers that Russia is respecting...

The Latest: Russian lawmaker thinks Butina pressured on plea

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Maria Butina, accused by the United States of being an Russian secret agent (all times local): 1:25 p.m. A senior Russian lawmaker says he's convinced that the Russian woman who's pleaded guilty to being a secret agent in the United States has done so under pressure. Leonid...

Trump's new Africa strategy takes sharp aim at China, Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday announced a sharp refocus of its Africa strategy to counter what it called the "predatory" practices of China and Russia, which are "deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage." National...

Woman accused of being secret Russian agent pleads guilty to conspiracy charge in deal with US prosecutors

Russia says it's willing to keep key arms treaty with US

MOSCOW (AP) — A top Russian diplomat says Moscow is willing to preserve a landmark arms treaty with the United States. The remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov came after the U.S. officially announced last week that it would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Treaty...

Russian parliament runs rap song contest amid crackdown

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian parliament on Thursday announced a rap song competition amid a crackdown on contemporary music that evoked Soviet-era censorship of the arts. A dozen rappers have had their shows cancelled recently after warnings from officials who claim that their music promotes the wrong values....