In fundraising speech, Trump says he made up trade claim in meeting with Justin Trudeau … President Trump boasted in a fundraising speech Wednesday that he made up information in a meeting with the leader of a top U.S. ally, saying he insisted to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau …

Trump Organization Tied to Deal to Keep Ex-Porn Star Quiet  —  An assistant general counsel at the president's flagship holding company intervened in arbitration proceeding in California to enforce a nondisclosure deal with former porn star  —  Documents marked “HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL PROCEEDING” …

Trump administration sanctions Russian spies, trolls over U.S. election interference, cyber attacks … The Trump administration on Thursday imposed fresh financial sanctions on Russian government hackers and spy agencies to punish Moscow for interfering in the 2016 presidential election …

Trump Says a Democrat Won in Pennsylvania Because He's ‘Like Trump’  —  If Donald Trump is worried about Democrats using an upset victory in Pennsylvania as a blueprint for winning big in the midterms, he didn't let on.  —  Trump broke his silence on the election at a private fundraiser …

John Skipper Details His ESPN Exit and a Cocaine Extortion Plot  —  The former network chief goes public in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the real reason behind his abrupt departure from Disney after 27 years, a confession to Bob Iger and his hope to work in sports media again.

Larry Kudlow may have been more wrong about the economy than anyone alive  —  It was the eve of the biggest economic collapse since the Great Depression.  Many on Wall Street worried that a recession loomed and that the housing bubble was bursting.  —  And then there was Larry Kudlow …

Dylann Roof's sister arrested for carrying weapons to school on day of national walkout  —  COLUMBIA — The sister of Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof was arrested Wednesday for carrying weapons at her affluent Columbia-area high school, authorities said.

“Trump Wants Them Out of There”: After Swinging the Axe at Tillerson, Trump Mulls What to Do with McMaster, Sessions, Jared, and Ivanka  —  With tariffs done, Trump's sights are now on the Iran deal—and, possibly, the Russia investigation.  “The president is finally realizing he is the president …

Russian spy: Moscow vows swift response on expulsions  —  Moscow has vowed there will be a swift response to the expulsion of 23 of its diplomats by Britain.  —  President Vladimir Putin would make a final decision and “won't take long” to respond, his spokesman said.

The real problem with the New York Times op-ed page: it's not honest about US conservatism  —  It wants to challenge its readers, but not with the ugly truth.  —  The New York Times editorial page has come in for a great deal of criticism since it fell under the leadership of James Bennet …

Trump is a freak of political nature.  Here's how you can beat him.  —  Philippe Reines has been a spokesman and adviser to Hillary Clinton since 2002, including during the 2016 campaign.  —  Campaigned in the wrong states.  Ineffective message.  Uninspiring orator.  Represented all that is wrong with Washington.

Amazon didn't kill Toys ‘R’ Us.  Here's what did  —  You won't be hearing the Toys ‘R’ Us jingle anymore  —  Don't blame Amazon for the death of Toys “R” Us.  —  It's true, online shopping didn't help matters, but the struggles of Toys “R” Us predate the boom in online shopping.

Dog gone: United Airlines mistakenly flies family German shepherd to Japan … United Airlines is investigating after mistakenly flying a Kansas family's dog to Japan.  —  KCTV reports that Kara Swindle and her two children flew from Oregon to Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday on a United flight.

Inside the shady private equity firm run by Kerry and Biden's kids  —  “My frustration,” writes Peter Schweizer in his new book, “Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends,” “is not that the solid reporting on Trump has been too tough …

White Supremacists Are Increasingly Spreading Their Message With Public Banners  —  White supremacists are increasingly hanging banners in public places, such as from highway overpasses and rooftops, to promote their views, according to a report released on Thursday by the Anti-Defamation League.

Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on pivotal public health step to dramatically reduce smoking rates by lowering nicotine in combustible cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels  —  For Immediate Release  —  When I returned to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year …

Extreme secrecy surrounds Comey book manuscript  —  James Comey's book is getting the Harry Potter treatment.  —  “A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership,” the upcoming memoir from former FBI Director James Comey, is set for publication on April 18 — and with anticipation rivaling …

This Is What Record-Low Unemployment Looks Like in America  —  What will happen when the U.S. unemployment rate falls below 4 percent, which is expected to occur by this summer?  One way to tell is to look at cities where joblessness is already lower than that.  Bloomberg News reporters traveled to Iowa, Georgia, and Maine.

Pennsylvania 18 is a reminder that polls are far from perfect.  And that's OK.  —  Conor Lamb claims victory in PA House race  —  (CNN)After watching the polling and results from Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District special election, I'm worried that our collective conversation …

Fortress Sweden: Inside the plan to mobilize Swedish society against Russia  —  WASHINGTON — Roughly 220 miles of ocean separates Sweden from the heavily militarized Russian port of Kaliningrad.  The country's long, narrow shape leaves it vulnerable to air assault from multiple sides.

Without Rex Tillerson's protection, a top State Department Asia nominee is in trouble … Outgoing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson struggled for months to secure the nomination of the State Department's top Asia official, who hawks have accused of being too soft on China.

U.S. Kept Silent About Its Role in Another Firefight in Niger  —  WASHINGTON — Green Berets working with government forces in Niger killed 11 Islamic State militants in a firefight in December, the American military acknowledged for the first time on Wednesday.