Trump had for months been determined to move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem … During a visit to his Mar-a-  —  Lago resort in March, President Trump approached legal scholar Alan Dershowitz to talk about the Middle East.  —  While Trump questioned Dershowitz, a confidant …

MSNBC Reverses Decision To Fire Contributor Sam Seder  —  Progressive radio and television personality Sam Seder will be offered his MSNBC contributor job back and plans to accept, according to multiple MSNBC sources.  —  Seder and MSNBC were set to part ways when his contributor contract expired next year …

Gov. Mark Dayton likely to tap Lt. Gov Tina Smith as Franken replacement  —  Dayton appears likely to pick Smith if Franken quits.  —  Lt. Gov. Tina Smith is likely to be Gov. Mark Dayton's choice to replace Sen. Al Franken if he resigns as expected, which would set in motion a cascade of job openings and reshape Minnesota politics.

Trump Jr. cites attorney-client privilege in not answering panel's questions about discussions with his father  —  Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday cited attorney-client privilege to avoid telling lawmakers about a conversation he had with his father, President Donald Trump …

AP Interview: On North Korea, senator says China a problem  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — China is more of a problem than a partner for the United States on dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea, a leading Republican senator and ally of President Donald Trump told the Associated Press during a wide-ranging interview Thursday.

Senator Bill Cassidy On Al Franken & Roy Moore: There Is A Difference Between A 14 Year Old Girl & An Adult Female  —  Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) spoke with Brian Kilmeade about tax reform and his hopes that the Senate's version doesn't change too much after it goes through conference …

CBS News poll: Americans say tax plan helps wealthy, not middle class  —  Republicans expect economic boost, but not personal tax cut  —  The Republican tax plan faces opposition from a majority of Americans.  Over half disapprove of it - including four in 10 who disapprove strongly …

Ex-cop Michael Slager faces 19 to 24 years in prison for shooting death of Walter Scott  —  Former South Carolina police officer Michael Slager faces 19 to 24 years in prison for the deadly shooting of unarmed black man Walter Scott.  —  U.S. District Judge David Norton ruled today …

Republicans hammer Mueller, FBI as Russia investigation intensifies  —  Republican activists and lawmakers are engaged in a multi-front attack on special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's probe of possible connections between associates of President Trump and Russian agents …

How Rodrigo Duterte Turned Facebook Into a Weapon—With a Little Help From Facebook  —  Rodrigo Duterte walked down the aisle of a packed auditorium at De La Salle University in downtown Manila, shaking hands and waving to nearly 2,000 college students snapping photos of the rising political star.

Gretchen Carlson declines to rule out Senate run  —  STORY HIGHLIGHTS  —  Washington (CNN)Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson declined Thursday to rule out a run for the US Senate, telling CNN's Poppy Harlow and John Berman that she's been asked to run in her home state of Connecticut.

What's Missing From Reports on Alabama's Black Turnout  —  In order to understand democracy in the United States, take a moment to consider Alabama.  In the good old heart of Dixie, the story of voting rights can be told just about from beginning to end.  It was in towns and cities throughout …

Worldwide Caution  —  As part of the Department of State's continuous efforts to provide U.S. citizens traveling abroad with information about safety and security events, we are updating the Worldwide Caution with information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions, political violence …

Exclusive: Sen. Jeff Flake Defends His ‘Yes’ Vote on the Republican Tax Bill  —  When Senate Republicans voted by the narrowest of margins — 51 to 49 — to pass their sweeping tax overhaul after midnight last Friday, many of the bill's critics turned their anger to Sen. Jeff Flake …

Intrigue grows over what sparked the attack on Rand Paul  —  BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Rand Paul was on the verge of becoming a powerful senator and the nation's leading libertarian.  His neighbor was a successful doctor and Kennedy-style Democrat who favored nationalized medicine.

Marriage equality law passes Australia's parliament in landslide vote  —  Jubilation and tears of joy as Australia becomes the 25th country to recognise same-sex marriage  —  Australia's parliament has legislated for marriage equality, passing a bill almost unanimously to allow two people, regardless of sex, to marry.

The Democratic party is fine  —  It is the most united American party in modern political history.  —  Take down  —  It is the most united American party in modern political history.  —  Welcome to TAKE DOWN, a new column in which Sean McElwee holds pundits accountable for their hot garbage takes …

Ventura fire rages, threatening communities both coastal and inland; section of 101 Freeway closed  —  The return of powerful winds Thursday pushed the destructive Ventura County fire closer to several communities, prompting new evacuations.  —  Communities both on the coast and inland were under threat.