Matt Gaetz Under Investigation by Florida State Bar Over Michael Cohen Threat  —  The Florida congressman tells The Daily Beast he is unaware of the inquiry.  —  The Florida Bar has opened an investigation into whether Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) violated professional conduct rules …

U.S. drops demand for full accounting of N. Korea nuclear program ahead of talks  —  Negotiators focus in on Yongbyon reactor, the “heart” of North Korea's nuclear program.  —  HANOI, Vietnam — U.S. negotiators are no longer demanding that North Korea agree to disclose a full accounting …

Sources: Beto O'Rourke won't challenge John Cornyn for Senate, paving way for presidential bid  —  Beto O'Rourke has decided not to run for Senate next year against Republican incumbent John Cornyn and likely will announce a campaign for president soon, confidants close to the former El Paso congressman told …

Virginia first lady under fire for handing cotton to African American students on mansion tour  —  A Virginia state employee has complained that her eighth-grade daughter was upset during a tour of the historic governor's residence when first lady Pam Northam handed a ball of cotton …

Washington Official Subpoenas Trump Inaugural Committee  —  WASHINGTON — The attorney general for the District of Columbia has subpoenaed documents from President Trump's inaugural committee, the third governmental body to delve into how the fund raised $107 million and spent it to celebrate Mr. Trump's swearing in.

India Pakistan: Kashmir fighting sees Indian aircraft downed  —  Pakistan says it has shot down two Indian military jets and captured a pilot in a major escalation between the nuclear powers over Kashmir.  —  India said it had lost one MiG-21 fighter and demanded the immediate and safe return of its pilot.

The House just passed what could be the biggest change to federal gun laws in decades  —  The research, however, suggests that Congress should go even bigger.  —  The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a universal background check bill — which …

“I'm About to Break”: Jussie Smollett and the Pressure of Hollywood Fame  —  The ‘Empire’ actor claimed to be the victim of a heinous crime that played perfectly into Hollywood's worst fears about hate in America.  Did the pressures of childhood fame or a struggling music career play a role …

Reporter Jane Mayer?  —  It's a few weeks after Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court, and  —  , one of the most prominent investigative reporters in the country, has just finished a stunning professional run.  She and her  —  New Yorker  —  colleague Ronan Farrow broke …

Pew: Phone polling in crisis again  —  The percentage of Americans willing to participate in telephone polls has hit a new low, according to a new report, raising doubts about the continued viability of the phone surveys that have traditionally dominated politics and elections, both in the media and in campaigns.

In undisclosed trip, Trump's Treasury breaks with precedent on transparency  —  The French government on Tuesday announced U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would meet with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris and hold a press conference with finance minister Bruno Le Maire.

New Poll: GOP Governor Ron DeSantis Posts Sky-High 64% Job Approval Rating  —  GOP Governor Ron DeSantis is getting results for the people of Florida and voters are taking notice.  —  A new poll puts Governor DeSantis' approval rating at a sky-high 64 percent, with just 24 percent disapproving.

Kushner makes little headway on Mideast peace plan in Gulf  —  BEIRUT/DUBAI (Reuters) - White House adviser Jared Kushner made a whirlwind visit this week to rally U.S.-allied Gulf Arab allies to support his still- unannounced Middle East peace plan, the leaked contours of which suggest little has been done to address Arab demands.