Syria's Assad in a ‘good mood,’ scorns U.S. weaponry after airstrikes … BEIRUT — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised Russian weaponry on Sunday as his government celebrated victory over rebels in the town where an alleged chemical attack took place, triggering U.S. airstrikes over the weekend.

Trump hits highest approval in a year, but 68 percent of women dislike him personally  —  The thriving economy looks to be bolstering Donald Trump's approval rating — but his personal unpopularity, especially among women, may be putting a ceiling on it.  —  The president remains poorly rated overall …

The FBI's revenge  —  Back in December, President Trump tweeted: “After years of Comey, with the phony and dishonest Clinton investigation (and more), running the FBI, its reputation is in Tatters - worst in History!  But fear not, we will bring it back to greatness.”

Barbara Bush in failing health  —  (CNN)Former first lady Barbara Bush is in failing health, a source close to the Bush family tells CNN.  —  At 92 years old, Bush has been suffering for some time and has been in and out of the hospital multiple times in the last year while battling …

Without mentioning Mueller, Trump lawyers urge high court to bolster his power to fire executive officials … The Supreme Court is set to hear a seemingly minor case later this month on the status of administrative judges at the Securities and Exchange Commission, an issue that normally might …

Paul Ryan: Not ‘necessary’ to bring up bill to protect Mueller  —  WASHINGTON — Speaker Paul Ryan said he doesn't believe there is a need for Congress to pass any kind of legislation aimed at protecting special counsel Robert Mueller from termination.  —  “I don't think it's necessary,” …

Starbucks ceo: Reprehensible outcome in Philadelphia incident  —  Dear Starbucks Partners and Customers:  —  By now, you may be aware of a disheartening situation in one of our Philadelphia-area stores this past Thursday, that led to a reprehensible outcome.  —  I'm writing this evening to convey three things:

Prominent Lawyer in Fight for Gay Rights Dies After Setting Himself on Fire in Prospect Park  —  Grace Notes: A Plan for New York City's Forests.  Yes, Forests.  —  Sports »  —  Brewers 5, Mets 1: Mets' Winning Streak Hits a Wall Against the Brewers

Scoop: Trump tried to block Pence national security appointment  —  The White House kept it quiet until now, but on Friday the President nearly blocked the Vice President from getting his chosen national security adviser.  —  Why this matters: It's a highly unusual event …

One tiny corner of the U.S. government pushes back against Russian disinformation  —  WASHINGTON — When reports began to emerge last month that Russian mercenaries had attacked a U.S. base in Syria, Russia issued a flat denial, and the U.S. was silent.  —  Then, leaked recordings surfaced on the internet.

GOP launches secret group to attack West Virginia coal baron  —  A generically named super PAC targets Republican Senate hopeful Don Blankenship, who recently served a year in prison.  —  The Republican establishment has launched an emergency intervention in the West Virginia Senate primary aimed …

Luke Mayville and his Medicaid for Idaho campaign are proving us political ‘experts’ wrong  —  Luke Mayville is reminding me that the conventional wisdom isn't always so wise.  —  The founders of Reclaim Idaho didn't accept the conventional wisdom that citizen initiatives in Idaho can't succeed.

On The Deficit, GOP Has Been Playing Us All For Suckers  —  To say we're all being played by House and Senate Republicans and the Trump administration when it comes to the deficit is my polite way of saying that the GOP is operating the federal equivalent of a huge budget bunco game.

More Than One-Fifth Of The Trump Campaign's Spending This Year Has Been On Legal Fees  —  The campaign also spent about $125,000 at Trump businesses.  —  President Donald Trump's 2020 reelection campaign has spent about $835,000 in legal fees so far this year, or about 22 percent of its total spending …