Meet the Hundreds of Officials Trump Has Quietly Installed Across the Government  —  A Trump campaign aide who argues that Democrats committed “ethnic cleansing” in a plot to “liquidate” the white working class.  A former reality show contestant whose study of societal collapse inspired …

Trump goes into dealmaking mode, works behind the scenes on health bill  —  For years, when President Trump pitched a new property that had his name in glittering gold letters above the door, he would throw himself into the sale: showy appearances with an entourage and a rush of boastful television interviews.

Hot story: Miami lawyer's pants erupt in flames during arson trial in court  —  A Miami defense lawyer's pants burst into flames Wednesday afternoon as he began his closing arguments in front of a jury — in an arson case.  —  Stephen Gutierrez, who was arguing that his client's car spontaneously combusted …

‘There are no sacred cows’: Breitbart's honeymoon with establishment wing of Trump White House may be over  —  Breitbart, the website that has fervently supported President Donald Trump's campaign and nascent presidency, signaled this week that its brief cease-fire with the establishment wing …

Exclusive — Sen. Rand Paul on Paul Ryan's Obamacare Lite: Speaker ‘Trying to Pull the Wool Over the Eyes of the President’  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), a top conservative in the U.S. Senate, unloaded on House Speaker Paul Ryan's Obamacare 2.0 replacement plan—that does not repeal Obamacare …

Physicians reject House ACA replacement bill  —  The American Health Care Act (AHCA), released by Congress this week, is intended to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  But as introduced, it does not align with the health reform objectives that the AMA set forth in January to protect patients.

Huntsman offered Russia ambassadorship  —  Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has been offered the job of U.S. ambassador to Russia and is in the process of submitting paperwork to accept the position, two administration sources have confirmed.  —  Huntsman, who served as ambassador …

Why the Russia Story Is a Minefield for Democrats and the Media  —  Russia scandals have bloodied the Trump administration.  But it carries dangers for those reporting it  —  Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper appeared on Meet the Press this past weekend to discuss the Trump-Russia scandal.

Fox Is Said to Settle With Former Contributor Over Sexual Assault Claims  —  Last summer, as it wrapped up multiple settlements after the Roger Ailes sexual harassment scandal, Fox News and its parent company, 21st Century Fox, were trying hard to end the ugliest chapter in its 20-year history.

Purple America Has All But Disappeared  —  President Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton was among the narrowest in history, and the country is deeply split on his job performance so far.  But if you feel like you hardly know anyone who disagrees with you about Trump, you're not alone …

China gives green light for Trump branded massage parlours, bars and concierge services  —  China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, paving the way for President Donald Trump and his family to develop a host of branded businesses from hotels to insurance to bodyguard …

Sean Spicer wrongly claims Fox reporter's phones were ‘tapped’  —  White House press secretary Sean Spicer wrongly claimed Wednesday that a Fox News reporter had his phones tapped while Barack Obama was president.  —  “James Rosen had his phone, multiple phones tapped,” Spicer said at the daily press briefing.

Authorities looked into Manafort protégé  —  U.S. and Ukrainian authorities have expressed interest in the activities of a Kiev-based operative with suspected ties to Russian intelligence who consulted regularly with Paul Manafort last year while Manafort was running Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

Report: Brownback to be named ambassador to the UN for food and agriculture  —  Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback will be named the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for Food and Agriculture, according to a public radio report.  —  A possible appointment to the Trump administration for Brownback …

Ivanka Trump's Landlord Is a Chilean Billionaire Suing the U.S. Government  —  President Donald Trump's daughter and her husband, White House adviser Jared Kushner, live in a Kalorama house owned by a Chilean business titan.  His company is suing the U.S. over a Minnesota mine  —  By

Trump administration considers $6 billion cut to HUD budget  —  The Trump administration has considered more than $6 billion in cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to preliminary budget documents obtained by The Washington Post.

Marines have arrived in Syria to fire artillery in the fight for Raqqa  —  Marines from an amphibious task force have left their ships in the Middle East and deployed to Syria, establishing an outpost from which they can fire artillery guns in support of the fight to take back the city of Raqqa …

CNN/ORC Poll: Melania Trump's approval ratings are way up  —  Photos:  —  First lady Melania Trump  —  The first lady walks with Sara Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, February 15.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington to strengthen US-Israel relations …

Former Trump aide Flynn says lobbying may have helped Turkey  —  President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who was fired from his prominent White House job last month, has registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent for $530,000 worth of lobbying work …

Islamic State leader Baghdadi abandons Mosul fight to field commanders, U.S. and Iraqi sources say  —  U.S. and Iraqi officials believe the leader of Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has left operational commanders behind with diehard followers to fight the battle of Mosul …

Watch: The Azure Window is lost and gone forever  —  ‘It is as we never had an Azure Window’  —  The site where the Azure Window once stood is now unrecognisable.  Video: Marietta Marra  —  Updated 2.39pm - Added Environment Minister comments  —  The Azure Window has collapsed …

Republicans Give Rich Investors a Tax Break in Obamacare Revamp  —  The top 0.1 percent can expect their tax bills to fall an average of $165,000 if the NIIT is nixed.  Most taxpayers, even high earners, will scarcely feel the savings.  —  by  —  House Republicans have a plan to remake …