The White House refused to provide documents to a nonpartisan congressional watchdog investigating President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold US security aid to Ukraine, according to documents released by Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland on Thursday. Included in the release is a December 20 letter from the White House responding to an inquiry…… MORE
DeAndre Arnold has been growing his dreadlocks for years. But for the past few days, Arnold — a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, east of Houston — hasn’t been in school. He might not get to attend his senior prom. And with graduation coming up in a few months, Arnold…… MORE
A federal judge addressed the Baltimore Police Department’s low staffing in court in response to a consent decree issued in 2017 mandating improved training and new recruitment policies. US District Court Judge James Bredar on Wednesday admonished police in his opening remarks and said that while leadership is not his concern, he is requesting monthly…… MORE
The three Americans who died fighting an Australian bushfire from the air have been identified by their employer, Oregon-based Coulson Aviation. The three are 44-year-old Capt. Ian McBeth of Great Falls, Montana, who was piloting the downed C-130 plane; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, age 42, of Buckeye, Arizona; and 43-year-old Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan…… MORE
The Montana teenager whose body was found near where she went missing on New Year’s Day most likely died of exposure to the elements, officials said. Selena Not Afraid, 16, didn’t have any injuries suggesting she’d been assaulted, the Big Horn County Attorney said in a news release. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday. Not Afraid…… MORE
Asian markets were mostly muted Friday morning on the eve of Lunar New Year celebrations, signaling a cautious approach after a broad sell-off the previous day over growing coronavirus fears. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, which will close early for the holiday, fell 0.1% Friday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat. Chinese markets were closed, and…… MORE
Tyler Gwozdz, a former contestant on “The Bachelorette,” has died at the age of 29, the show’s producers said Thursday. Gwozdz appeared in Season 5 of the ABC show last year, competing for star Hannah Brown. “We are heartbroken to hear the tragic news of Tyler’s passing today. Our thoughts are with the Gwozdz family…… MORE
The United States has declined the United Kingdom’s request to extradite American citizen Anne Sacoolas, the wife of an American diplomat, who was charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of a British teenager last August. A State Department spokesperson cited Sacoolas’ diplomatic status at the time of the accident and said granting such…… MORE
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn spent hours attacking Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key National Security Council aide who testified before Congress on the Ukraine scandal, on Twitter Thursday, including questioning the Purple Heart recipient’s patriotism. Over a series of tweets, Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, made the unfounded claim that Vindman had leaked knowledge of President…… MORE
Renault, Honda and Peugeot owner PSA Group are among the global companies that have large manufacturing plants in Wuhan, China, the center of a coronavirus outbreak that has claimed dozens of lives. The three automakers have operations in China’s “motor city” through joint ventures with Dongfeng Motor Corporation, one of the country’s largest auto groups.…… MORE
