Paxton and Platner visit Washington to shore up support for Senate candidacies

WASHINGTON (AP) – Controversial U.S. Senate hopefuls Ken Paxton, a Republican from Texas, and Graham Platner, a Democrat from Maine, visited the nation’s capital Tuesday to shore up support within their respective parties, with Paxton’s itinerary including a White House huddle with President Donald Trump.

Bernie Sanders stands by Graham Platner after sexually explicit texts

WASHINGTON (AP) – Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Monday that he is standing by Graham Platner in the wake of media reports that the Maine Senate candidate previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women while he was married.

Platner's wife responds to reports of the Senate candidate's sexually explicit texts

WASHINGTON (AP) – Graham Platner’s wife publicly responded over the weekend to reports that she had informed his U.S. Senate campaign that the candidate had previously exchanged sexually explicit text messages with several women.

G7 Leaders to discuss Iran and Ukraine at summit in France

World leaders are gathering in a French spa town Monday for a summit of the Group of Seven club of powerful democracies with a new impetus following President Donald Trump ‘s announcement of an agreement that he says will bring an end to the U.S. war against Iran.

What to know about the demining mission for the Strait of Hormuz

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – The naval mission for the Strait of Hormuz that U.S. allies are proposing as a follow-up to a deal to end the Iran war would aim to reassure crews and shipping insurers that vessels can safely navigate the narrow waterway again, by removing any explosive mines and potentially providing military escorts.

DOJ sues states over denying undercover license plates for federal agents

President Donald Trump’s administration is suing four states over their refusal to issue undercover license plates to federal agents, the latest front in the wider struggle between the White House and Democratic-led states over the Republican president’s immigration crackdown.

Maine's transgender sports initiative halted by invalid signatures

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – A Maine initiative intended to limit transgender students’ ability to participate in sports has been removed from the ballot because of invalid signatures, the secretary of state ruled Tuesday.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy has no regrets over Trump impeachment vote

WASHINGTON (AP) – Returning to the U.S. Capitol after a stinging primary reelection loss, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Monday evening that he has no regrets about his “momentous” vote to convict President Donald Trump on impeachment charges five years ago.

G7 leaders open summit talks on Ukraine and the Middle East as Zelenskyy joins in France

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) – Leaders at the Group of Seven summit of major industrialized nations face a packed agenda on their first full day Tuesday, including challenging discussions on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and addressing the Middle East crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in attendance at the invitation of host France.