Nation

Palestinian envoy pushes forward, estranged from US White House

WASHINGTON — A few miles down the road from Israel's gated embassy, the Palestinian envoy to Washington sits in his office wrestling with a unique diplomatic dilemma: how to advance his people's cause when relations with the United States are so distant that he hasn't even spoken to the White House in months.

Oversight panel to peruse Pruitt’s travel records

WASHINGTON — A Republicanled congressional committee is demanding records related to premium-class flights taken by Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt.

House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy issued a letter to Pruitt this week seeking an accounting of all flights taken by the EPA administrator over the last year and whether the ticket was coach, business or first class.

Pruitt defended his use of premium-class airfare in media interviews earlier this month, saying security concerns were raised after unpleasant interactions with other passengers.

Trump Jr: ‘Nonsense’ that family’s profiting from presidency

NEW DELHI — Donald Trump Jr. said that any talk of his family profiting from his father's presidency is "nonsense" as he embarked on a trip to India that has raised ethical concerns about using the name of the American president to promote international business ventures.

The eldest son of President Donald Trump, who is in India to meet the promoters and buyers of Trump brand luxury homes in the country, said his family is actually missing out on business opportunities because his father pledged to conduct no new foreign business while he was in office.

News Briefs

Florida shooting survivors in capital, demand action on guns

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Students who survived the Florida school shooting prepared to flood the Capitol Wednesday pushing to ban the assault-style rifle used to kill 17 people, vowing to make changes in the November election if they can't persuade lawmakers to change laws before their legislative session ends.

US State Department says North Korea passed up meeting with VP Mike Pence

WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence was all set to hold a history-making meeting with North Korean officials during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, but Kim Jong Un's government canceled at the last minute, the Trump administration said Tuesday.

A potential meeting between Pence and the North Koreans had been the most highly anticipated moment of the vice president's visit to Pyeongchang, South Korea, where he led the U.S delegation to the opening ceremonies.

Trump says more must be done to protect children

indicated he wants to strengthen the background check system, but offered no specifics.

Trump said: "Whether we are Republican or Democrat, we must now focus on strengthening Background Checks!"

Asked at a press briefing Tuesday if Trump was open to reinstating a ban on assault-type weapons, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said White House officials "haven't closed the door on any front." She also said that the idea of raising the age limit to buy an AR-15 was "on the table for us to discuss."

Fred ‘Mr.’ Rogers, America’s favorite neighbor, will be celebrated in 2018

NEW YORK — It's been 50 years since Fred Rogers first appeared on TV screens, a gentle and avuncular man who warbled "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" as he changed into a cardigan and sneakers.

The low-key, low-tech "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" presented Rogers as one adult in a busy world who always had time to listen to children. That legacy burns for many in these turbulent times.

Idaho state senator criticizes college students lobbying for birth control

BOISE, Idaho — A Republican state senator who shouted at University of Idaho students in the Capitol to lobby for a birth control bill on Monday now faces an ethics complaint after a tweet from an account presenting as the lawmaker's directed students to discuss "killing babies" with a Democratic colleague.

State Sen. Maryanne Jordan filed the complaint against Republican state Sen. Dan Foreman.

Pennsylvania’s new court-ordered congressional map could boost Democrats

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's high court imposed a new congressional district map for the state's 2018 elections on Monday, potentially giving Democrats a boost in their quest to capture control of the U.S. House unless Republicans can stop it in federal court.

Minnesota’s $5B case over 3M chemicals heads to trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota officials will soon try to convince a jury that manufacturer 3M Co. should pay the state $5 billion to help clean up environmental damage that the state alleges was caused by pollutants the company dumped for decades.

The long-awaited trial begins Tuesday in Minneapolis. Experts say it could have wide-reaching implications if the state succeeds, in part because 3M and other companies legally dumped the chemicals for years in and outside Minnesota.