Trump is now repaying Putin for helping him win the presidency  —  THE MORNING PLUM:  —  The events of the past few days — culminating in President Trump's meeting today with Russian President Vladimir Putin — have rendered this interpretation inescapable: Trump is currently in the process …

Bombshell Bourdain interview is published one month after his suicide: Celebrity chef unloads on 'rapey, gropey and disgusting Bill Clinton and hopes Weinstein is ‘beaten to death in jail’  — Anthony Bourdain gave a lengthy, wide ranging interview to journalist Maria Bustillos for her recently launched magazine Popula

Plutonium went missing in San Antonio, but the government says nothing  —  Losses of civilian nuclear material are usually disclosed but when the government loses nuclear bomb ingredients it stays mum  —  Two security experts from the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory drove to San Antonio …

Germany: We can no longer fully rely on U.S. White House  —  BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's foreign minister said on Monday Europe could not rely on Donald Trump and needed to close ranks after the U.S. president called the European Union a “foe” with regard to trade.

What Robert Mueller Knows—and 9 Areas He'll Pursue Next  —  The special counsel has collected a mountain of evidence in the Trump-Russia investigation, but so far only a tiny amount of it has been revealed in official indictments.  Here are nine areas where we should expect answers as the inquiry unfolds.

The Midwest eases its Trump swoon and flirts again with Democratic candidates  —  NEW ALBANY, Ohio — Troy Balderson, the Republican candidate for Congress, wanted to make one thing clear: He would not support President Trump on everything.  —  He would “not ever support separating families” to control immigration.

FCC sends Sinclair mega-deal to likely doom  —  FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday he has “serious concerns” about Sinclair Broadcast Group's acquisition of Tribune Media, saying he would send the transaction through a lengthy administrative process often viewed as a deal-killer.

Vanishing Point  —  As the GOP increasingly comes to resemble a personality cult, is there any red line—video tapes?  DNA evidence? a war with Germany—President Trump could cross and lose party support?  “Very doubtful,” say a dozen GOP members of Congress stuck hard behind the MAGA eight ball.

I'm running for Senate as a Republican.  My Democrat parents are so furious they're backing my opponent  —  My decision to be a Democrat was never a decision.  It was just expected of me.  It was understood.  Born into a family of Democrats, my grandfather would often spend weekends talking …

Yes, Normal Republican Elites Are a Threat to Democracy  —  Brett Kavanaugh would make a perfectly normal Supreme Court justice.  The appellate judge boasts all of the conventional credentials for that post (as his former professors at Yale Law will eagerly inform you).

Russia Hawk Axed From National Security Council Right Before Trump-Putin Summit … Shortly before Donald Trump detonated a NATO summit, shanked the beleaguered British prime minister and prepped for a face-to-face love session with Vladimir Putin, his White House quietly divested itself …

This Is the Moment of Truth for Republicans  —  There are exactly two possible explanations for the shameful performance the world witnessed on Monday, from a serving American president.  —  Either Donald Trump is flat-out an agent of Russian interests—witting, unwitting, from fear of blackmail …

Shock over ruling that ‘brides of Christ’ need not be virgins  —  Consecrated virgins say they are disappointed by Vatican's new guidance  —  Christian women who have pledged lifelong virginity as “brides of Christ” have expressed shock at a Vatican document that suggests literal virginity is not a prerequisite for their consecration.

The Finance 202: Trump's trade offensive is producing brutal local headlines  —  THE TICKER … President Trump's trade war is serving up a public relations migraine for the administration in local press across the country.  —  Coverage from the front lines of where the tariffs …

Ocasio-Cortez Floats a “Sub-Caucus” of Progressives Willing to Vote Together as a Bloc  —  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is exploring forming a “sub-caucus” of progressives in the House that would be willing to vote as a bloc to leverage their power, she said in a recent podcast interview.

Fox's Hannity, Carlson to get first interviews with Trump after Putin summit  —  will sit down with two Fox News hosts for his first interviews following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the network announced Sunday.  —  Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson will each conduct separate interviews …

Elon Musk makes unfounded accusation against Thai cave rescuer  —  Caver calls Elon Musk's submarine a ‘PR stunt’  —  Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, the CEO of several high-profile American companies, broadcast to his 22 million social media followers on Sunday an unfounded …