Day: March 2, 2017

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Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star. The newspaper reported Thursday that emails provided through a public records request show that Pence communicated with advisers through his personal AOL account on homeland security matters and security at the governor’s residence during his four years as governor.

Ohio 29 mins ago 10:17 p.m.Great Lakes restoration would be gutted in early White House plan

With reports swirling that President Donald Trump intends sharp cutbacks at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Free Press has learned that a drastic reduction may be under consideration for Great Lakes restoration efforts, which in the past have received bipartisan support. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies confirmed for the Free Press late Thursday that an initial proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget calls for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to be cut from $300 million a year to about $10 million.

America First’ will be good for Americans

Today, threats seemingly abound, from China’s rise to Russia’s return; from the growing number of bumptious regional powers, such as Iran and North Korea; and from a range of insurgent and terrorist networks. How will the Pole Star of Donald Trump’s foreign policy, “America First,” fare? Will such a policy court disaster as did its isolationist predecessor 80 years ago in the run-up to World War II? Consider first military intervention.

Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering…

Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. less Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White … more WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star .

Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the center of the political moment

WASHINGTON Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s long-serving ambassador to the United States, has a habit noticed by many U.S. officials who have known the envoy. “He doesn’t get as much credit as he should, in my view, for being savvy about developing relationships with people all over the city,” said Michael McFaul, who knew the diplomat well while serving in the Obama administration as senior adviser on Russia and then as U.S. ambassador to Russia.

Ex-VP Al Gore drives resurgent climate activism in Denver as Trump…

Former vice president and climate change specialist Al Gore speaks to an audience of almost 1,000 people during his Climate Reality Leadership Corps training at the Colorado Convention Center March 2, 2017 in Denver. T A pushback against President Donald Trump’s attacks on rules to protect the environment gained momentum in Denver Thursday as former vice president and climate-change sentinel Al Gore launched a three-day mobilization of activists.

Indonesians shocked by Trump, but still admire US values

In this Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, Rudy Madanir, an English teacher, poses for a photo during an interview with The Associated Press in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. Indonesians are by turns shocked and bemused by Donald Trump’s volatile presidency, but many in the world’s most populous Muslim nation say his personality and actions _ including his controversial travel ban _ haven’t changed their positive view of the United States.

Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigations

Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he will recuse himself from a federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 White House election. Facing growing criticism following revelations that he did not disclose speaking with on two occasions Russia’s ambassador to the United States, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that he would recuse himself from any investigations related to the 2016 campaign.

The Latest: Trump calls criticism of Sessions a a witch hunta

President Donald Trump is praising his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and accusing Democrats of conducting a “witch hunt” in their criticism of Sessions’ testimony about his contact with the Russian ambassador during the presidential campaign. Sessions on Thursday recused himself from any investigation into Russian meddling in America’s 2016 presidential election.

BRIEF-With Investment buys 13.7 pct stake in Shinhan 3rd Special Purpose Acquisition

A full list rating action is at the end of this commentary. KEY RATING DRIVERS IDRS AND VIABILITY RATING The affirmation of Christian Savings’ IDRs and Positive Outloo WASHINGTON, March 2 The Financial Stability Oversight Council, made up of all major U.S. financial regulators, met late on Thursday afternoon and reviewed its designation of a nonbank firm as “too big to fail,” according to a statement from the Treasury Department.

Jeff Sessions Slams Russia Storm: ‘A Big Brouhaha’

Attorney General Jeff Sessions Thursday slammed the controversy over his two meetings with the Russian ambassador last year as “a big brouhaha” and said that he recused himself of any possible investigations involving the Trump administration in order to “clear the air.” “It was a sad thing to be attacked like that – but I think we’ve explained it and we intend to move forward,” the former Alabama senator told Tucker Carlson on Fox News.

Pols More Focused on Election Hack Than Cyber Defense

The Pentagon is pushing for a cyber “tiger team” to help the military arm itself for cyberwar but Congress is more interested in how to respond to foreign interference in the nation’s political structure, Defense One reported. The competing interests were in full view Thursday when the Senate’s Armed Services Committee held a hearing with members of the Defense Science Board a group of civilian experts who advise the Department of Defense on technical matters, the outlet reported.

Gizzi: House Conservatives Split Over Sessions

The major news Thursday from Washington, D.C., was U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ late afternoon announcement he would recuse himself from oversight of the FBI’s investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election. But there was also a little-reported side to the Sessions saga: How many Republicans in the House – who are considered decidedly more conservative than their GOP counterparts in the Senate – were critical of the then-senator from Alabama meeting twice with the Russian ambassador last year and then failing to acknowledge the meetings at his confirmation hearings to be attorney general.

See ‘Grace and Frankie’ Pitch Sex Toys in Funny New Trailer

With Sheen and Waterston as the said husbands, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series has followed the couples in the sudden new state of their lives at a time when at least Grace and Frankie themselves thought things were going to be smooth sailing – which they have proved to distinctly not be. Unfortunately for them – and fortunately for us – Grace and Frankie weren’t as financially well off: at the end of the second season, Grace and Frankie made a decision to come together and form a company that specializes in sex toys for older women, and if the trailer is any indication, additional hijinx will ensue.

9 ways drones are changing real estate

As the spring homebuying season gets underway, drones may be a more common sight above homes about to go on the market. More and more real estate professionals are turning to drone photography and videos to better market their listings.

‘TUCKER’ EXCLUSIVE: Sessions says meeting with Russian envoy ‘hyped…

Attorney General Jeff Sessions told Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” in an exclusive interview Thursday that conversations between him and the Russian ambassador to the U.S. had been “hyped beyond reason” by the media and criticism of them was “unfair.” “I don’t believe anybody that was in that meeting would have seen or believed I said one thing that was improper or unwise,” Sessions told host Tucker Carlson.

Jeff Sessions denies allegations of ties to Russia

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said the allegations that he lied about his connections with Russia during his confirmation hearing were false, but still stepped aside from Russia probe. Jeff Sessions denies allegations of ties to Russia U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said the allegations that he lied about his connections with Russia during his confirmation hearing were false, but still stepped aside from Russia probe.

Sessions Recuses

A helpful WaPo timeline is here. The second in command, Dana Boente is presumably in charge of deciding whether to appoint a Special Counsel.

Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy asks Health and Human Services…

Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price isn’t a month into his new job and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is already asking him to take a weed-whacker to President Barack Obama’s abortion legacy. Specifically, the majority leader wants Price to enforce what’s known as the Weldon Amendment to kill an abortion-related government mandate in California.

Sessions faces reporters amid Russia contact accusations

Influential Republicans joined a chorus of Democrats Thursday in calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to withdraw from an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election after revelations he twice met with the Russian ambassador and didn’t say so when pressed by Congress.

Kaine, others question immigrations arrests

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is joining activists and fellow Democrats in decrying the recent arrests of immigrants outside a church shelter in Virginia. Democratic officials held a news conference Thursday at the Rising Hope Mission Church outside of Alexandria.

Hundreds chant ‘Coward!’ amid Paul Ryan’s Rhode Island visit

Around 200 people chanted “Coward!” and booed as Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan was attending an event in heavily Democratic Rhode Island FILE – In this Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington before President Donald Trump’s speech to the nation. Ryan is scheduled to visit Democratic-leaning Rhode Island.

EU calls on Canada to defend Paris climate accord against global ‘uncertainties’

The European Union’s environment commissioner is making a noisy pitch about joining forces with Canada to fight to preserve the Paris climate change accord in the face of “geopolitical uncertainties.” EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but his statement Thursday prior to his arrival in Ottawa seemed squarely aimed at the U.S. president.

No Resignation, but Pressure Forces Jeff Sessions to Recuse Himself

Responding to growing pressure both from his colleagues and the public at large, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Thursday that he is recusing himself from federal investigations into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election. Though he continued to deny the accusation that he lied under oath as “totally false,” he said he spoke with his staff and they recommended recusal.

Partisanship rift continues in House panel probing Russia

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., right, and the committee’s ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., leave after talking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 2, 2017, following a briefing with FBI Director Jim Comey about Russian influence on the American presidential election. less House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., right, and the committee’s ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., leave after talking to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, … more House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.

Libertarian Party earns political party status in Iowa

Pate says the status began effective Wednesday after state election officials determined the party’s presidential nominee, Gary Johnson , received 59,186 votes – or 3.8 percent of the vote – in the November 2016 general election. The new status gives the Libertarian Party the ability to participate in primary elections in 2018.