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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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:

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 …

Fealty to Trump has become the coin of the realm for GOP Senate candidates  —  MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Among his qualifications for the U.S. Senate, Rep. Evan Jenkins wants West Virginia voters to know that he once attended a Christmas party with Donald Trump, flew with him on Air Force …

Trump might survive firing Rosenstein or even Mueller.  The reason: Fox News.  —  For Richard Nixon, the “Saturday Night Massacre” was the beginning of the end.  —  The nation finally turned against the embattled president after he forced out — on Oct. 20, 1973 — the attorney general …

Magazine editors turn blind eye to Melania  —  Magazines are showing no love for Melania Trump.  —  The internet was in a tizzy last week when actor James Woods pointed out via Twitter that the first lady hasn't been a muse for the magazine industry since her husband, President Trump, took office.

Trump was right to pardon ‘Scooter’ Libby  —  Justice deferred may be justice denied.  But for I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby - former Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, who was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007 - President Trump's pardon on Friday, however belated, was welcome.

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,” …

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.

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.