SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1

Starting Thursday, Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits. Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Suspect in national guard shooting faces new federal charges

WASHINGTON (AP) – A man accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House has been charged in a complaint with federal firearms charges in connection with the ambush on November 26 that fatally wounded one of the West Virginia National Guard members and seriously injured the second.

Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández freed after Trump pardon

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) – Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández, sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation that moved hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States, was released from prison following a pardon from President Donald Trump, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Trump claims Iran talks will start Monday, and other Middle East developments

CAIRO (AP) – After calling off a fresh round of strikes against Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that new talks to wind down the war would start Monday, even as Iranian officials claimed their diplomatic efforts were focused on neighboring nations.

Lebanese and Israeli negotiators meet in Rome to discuss ceasefire

Lebanese and Israeli negotiators meet in Rome to discuss ceasefire agreement

National Guard member shot in DC has shown positive signs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia National Guard member who was shot last week in a brazen daytime attack in Washington, D.C., remains in serious condition but showed positive signs by giving a thumbs-up that he could hear a nurse’s question and wiggling his toes, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday.

Trump issues White House invitation to families of the two National Guard members who were shot

President Donald Trump on Sunday said he’s invited the family of a National Guard member fatally shot last week to the White House, saying he spoke to her parents and they were “devastated.”

US Halts All Asylum Decisions After Shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration has halted all asylum decisions and paused issuing visas for people traveling on Afghan passports days after a shooting near the White House that left one National Guard member dead and another in critical condition.

The Trump Report: Latest Updates

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has put it in writing, issuing a formal order terminating President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies. The move follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination for the permanent job.