Henry Kissinger, who shaped world affairs under two presidents, dies at 100  —  The diplomat exercised an unparalleled control over U.S. international affairs and policymaking.  He was also the target of relentless critics, who deemed him unprincipled and amoral.

Speaker Johnson singed by a blast of conservative fury  —  The right's ire toward the Louisiana Republican isn't universal.  But it's growing: One member called him a “joke,” and another deemed his performance “plummeting.”  —  Speaker Mike Johnson is edging closer to the same sort of clash …

Attorney warned Trump 'it's going to be a crime' if he didn't comply with subpoena for classified docs: Sources  —  Trump attorney Jennifer Little spoke with federal investigators, sources said.  —  This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022 …

'I Didn't Say He'd Be a Great President': McCarthy Jabs at Trump, Predicts He'll Lose 2024 If Campaign is About ‘Revenge’  —  Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) jabbed former President Donald Trump while being interviewed at the New York Times's Dealbook Summit on Wednesday.

Trump Caught Moving Money Around to Pay Massive Tax Bill  —  Trump wasn't supposed to be moving significant amounts of money around without notifying a court-appointed auditor.  He just got caught paying himself so he could pay his taxes. … A court-ordered financial auditor …

Abortion word games  —  On Tuesday, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R) rejected the language of a proposed ballot amendment that would repeal the state's abortion ban.  The measure, if approved, would prohibit the state from restricting abortions “within 18 weeks of conception.”

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early … - “I have another week or so to decide because if I decide to run again, I have to know in my heart I'm giving 110%,” McCarthy said at The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, referring to California's Dec. 8 filing deadline.

Top Ramaswamy aide leaves to join Trump campaign  —  A top aide to Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is joining former President Donald Trump's campaign, three sources familiar with the move tell CNN.  —  Brian Swensen formally resigned from his role as national political director …

Court filing reveals Rep. Scott Perry's vast web of contacts in bid to reverse 2020 election  —  A federal appeals court on Wednesday released previously secret text messages from Perry — only to remove them from the public docket later in the day.  —  At 11:08 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2020 …

Here's how much more you need to spend to maintain your living standard  —  The typical American household must spend an additional $11,434 annually just to maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed in January of 2021, right before inflation soared to 40-year highs, according to a recent analysis of government data.

Trump tries to embrace Black Lives Matter, a group he previously said ‘hates our country’  —  Former president Donald Trump on Wednesday touted the support he has received from a Black Lives Matter activist, inaccurately claiming that he's receiving broader support from the group …

EPA proposes rule to tighten lead pipeline standards  —  The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new rule Thursday aimed at strengthening its existing lead and copper pipe standards as part of the administration's goal of lowering unsafe pollution levels and protecting vulnerable people from exposure to harmful drinking water.

Scoop: Biden warned Bibi Israel can't operate in southern Gaza the way it did in north  —  President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday that he is concerned about a possible Israeli military operation in southern Gaza after the current pause in fighting ends, two U.S. officials told Axios.

Bank official flagged Hunter Biden Chinese payments as ‘unusual,’ Comer says  —  A bank investigator raised concerns internally in 2018 about payments Hunter Biden received, saying the activity on his accounts appeared “unusual,” according to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY).

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social  —  Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.

Scoop: No Labels abandons its in-person presidential convention … - Canceling its Dallas convention will give No Labels more flexibility — and more time — to make that determination.  — It will also allow more candidates to potentially emerge and challenge the status quo.

Fox Co-Hosts Call Out Jesse Watters After Remarks on Women, Cars  —  Watters also claimed that only “liberal, suburban house husbands” are in the market for electric vehicles.  —  Jesse Watters was called out Wednesday by his female colleagues during a discussion on electric vehicles …

Trump will hold a closed-door fundraiser during the next Republican debate  —  It will be the first time he won't hold a public-facing counterprogramming event during one of the debates.  —  Former President Trump will host a closed-door fundraiser in Florida during the next week's Republican …

James Comer Seems to Forget He Said Hunter Biden Could ‘Choose’ Public Hearing  —  While Comer rejected Hunter Biden's offer to publicly testify, last month he declared it Biden's choice to testify in public or private.  —  House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) …