Charges against Bergdahl being referred for court-martial

WASHINGTON (AP) – The attorney for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was released in exchange for five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay, says the soldier’s case has been referred for trial by a general court-martial. Attorney Eugene Fidell says the convening authority did not follow the advice of the preliminary hearing officer who had recommended that…

Final-stage talks on budget deal put oil export ban in play

WASHINGTON (AP) – The four-decade-old ban on exporting crude oil may end up getting lifted in a must-pass year-end spending bill lawmakers are scrambling to complete. Lifting the ban is a top ask for GOP negotiators working on the sprawling legislation. In return, Democrats are seeking various environmental priorities, including making permanent tax credits for…