Spicer's absence in papal visit reveals Trump's family-first rule  —  Vatican City (CNN)At the most highly anticipated meeting on President Donald Trump's first foreign odyssey, the ever-shifting pecking order of a tumultuous White House was on full display.

The Pentagon Can't Believe Trump Told Another President About Nuclear Subs Near North Korea  —  “We never talk about subs!” three defense officials told BuzzFeed News after a transcript of a call between President Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was published.

The life and death of the Seth Rich conspiracy theory  —  When Seth Rich's Gmail account received an alert this week from Mega.com, attempting to start a new account on a website created by the New Zealand-based Internet businessman and convicted hacker Kim Dotcom, his family knew that something was off.

How a dubious Russian document influenced the FBI's handling of the Clinton probe  —  In the midst of the 2016 presidential primary season, the FBI received a purported Russian intelligence document describing a tacit understanding between the campaign of Hillary Clinton and the Justice Department …

A Smarter Way to Interpret 2017's Special Elections  —  The results of individual special elections, like Thursday's in Montana between Democrat Rob Quist and Republican Greg Gianforte, can't always foretell what will happen in the next high-stakes midterm.  Each district presents …

Found at the Scene in Manchester: A Detonator, Shrapnel and a Battery  —  The bomber in the Manchester terrorist attack appeared to have carried a powerful explosive in a lightweight metal container concealed either within a black vest or a blue Karrimor backpack, and to have held a small detonator …

Exclusive: U.S. Senate's McConnell sees tough path for passing healthcare bill  —  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday said he has yet to hit upon a formula for repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a new healthcare program, but he expressed some optimism on another top priority, overhauling the tax code.

De Blasio says ‘children will die’ under Trump's proposed budget  —  Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday warned that “children will die” if President Donald Trump's proposed federal budget, which would slash funding for Medicaid, food stamps and public housing, is enacted.

Trump Failing to Track Foreign Cash at His Hotels  —  Just before taking office, President Donald Trump promised to donate all profits earned from foreign governments back to the U.S. Treasury.  —  But MSNBC has learned the Trump Organization is not tracking all possible payments it receives …

Israel Alters Intelligence Sharing with US  —  Israel says it has changed its intelligence-sharing protocols with the United States after President Donald Trump disclosed classified information to Russian diplomats earlier this month that had come from Israel, even though Tel Aviv had not assented to his handing it to another country.

Donald Trump's Base Is Shrinking  —  A widely held tenet of the current conventional wisdom is that while President Trump might not be popular overall, he has a high floor on his support.  Trump's sizable and enthusiastic base — perhaps 35 to 40 percent of the country — won't abandon him any time soon …

Wash. Post didn't disclose that writer who penned positive piece about Trump's Saudi trip is paid by Saudi government  —  The Washington Post allowed contributor Ed Rogers to praise Donald Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia without disclosing that he's a lobbyist for the Saudi Royal Court.

Ben Carson calls poverty ‘a state of mind’ during interview  —  In an interview released Wednesday, Housing Secretary Ben Carson said that a “certain mindset” contributes to people living in poverty, pointing to habits and a “state of mind” children take from their parents at a young age.

Baltimore attorney arrested for allegedly offering rape victim $3K to not testify, saying Trump will deport her  —  A Baltimore defense attorney was arrested in the downtown courthouse Tuesday and charged with obstruction of justice and witness intimidation for allegedly telling a rape victim …

Poll: Majority says mainstream media publishes fake news  —  Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the mainstream press is full of fake news, a sentiment that is held by a majority of voters across the ideological spectrum.  —  According to data from the latest Harvard-Harris poll …

Dems see political gold in Trump budget  —  House Democrats are hoping President Trump's newly proposed budget blueprint will be a political albatross for Republicans at the polls next year.  —  Unveiled Tuesday, Trump's fiscal 2018 budget proposal pushes sharp increases in military spending …

Trump SoHo Plans Layoffs  —  In its heyday, Trump SoHo was a destination.  Celebrity-filled limos regularly pulled up, and delighted tourists snapped selfies in front of the glassy tower.  Rooms at the five-star hotel cost over $700 a night, and the Koi restaurant on the ground floor rocked.

Trump administration hits reset in FBI director search  —  (CNN)The team tasked by the White House with finding a new director for the FBI is resetting its search, a senior administration official told CNN.  —  President Donald Trump said last week that he was “very close” …

Woodward: “Smug” media on Trump crusade  —  Bob Woodward told Axios' Mike Allen that the press is covering Trump with a certain smugness, but it's not the media's job to make his presidency an editorial.  “You have to have a presumption of good will,” said Woodward. … - What is power?

Roger Ailes Ruined Monica Lewinsky?  —  It was big news when Roger Ailes died.  Everyone in his industry acknowledged that a serious, even transcendent force in American media and politics had passed away.  Without Fox News over these last 20 years, the shape of American politics would be far different.

Democrats Just Flipped Seats In 2 Districts That Voted For Donald Trump  —  GOP candidates lose special elections in New York and New Hampshire.  —  Two districts that voted for Donald Trump in last year's presidential election selected Democrats for state legislature seats in New York and New Hampshire on Tuesday night.

Wasserman Schultz Threatened Police Chief For Gathering Evidence On Her IT Staffer's Alleged Crimes [VIDEO]  —  Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz attempted to interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation into cybersecurity breaches by her top technology aide, using her position …