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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is blaming the latest Russia controversy on a Democratic "total witch hunt." Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced he's recusing himself from any investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential campaign. Sessions failed to tell lawmakers during his confirmation hearing that he met twice with the Russian ambassador. The president says Sessions is "an honest man" but "could have stated his response more accurately." Some Democrats have called for Sessions to resign and the appointment of a special prosecutor.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia ramped up the pressure on North Korea by issuing a statement condemning the use of a banned toxic chemical weapon in the killing of the half brother of North Korea's leader. Malaysia has not directly accused North Korea of being behind the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam, but Friday's statement comes hours after a North Korean envoy rejected a Malaysian autopsy finding that VX nerve agent killed Kim. The autopsy also says Kim probably died of a heart attack because he suffered from heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
WASHINGTON (AP) — According to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star, Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana's governor. The newspaper reported 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. As President Donald Trump's running mate, Pence frequently criticized rival Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota officials are bracing for billions of dollars in additional health care expenses if President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans move ahead with a plan they're considering to replace the Affordable Care Act. A draft state planning document shows Minnesota would lose $1.3 billion starting next year under a Republican proposal that drastically restructures Medicaid funding for low-income residents. Those losses could grow to $6 billion annually in the next decade. Minnesota was one of 31 states to expand Medicaid.
TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) — Officials say two inmates died and others were injured in a disturbance at a Nebraska prison. Corrections officials say the incident happened at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. Officials didn't provide details about how the inmates died but noted the disturbance involved about 40 inmates who refused to return to their cells. No prison staffers were injured.
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