Acosta sworn in as 27th US labour secretary

Vice-President Mike Pence has sworn in Alex Acosta as the nation's new labour secretary, filling out President Donald Trump's Cabinet as he approaches his 100th day in office. The oath-taking Friday comes after the Senate's 60-38 confirmation vote in which eight Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in voting yes.

Trump plan seen turning – everyone and their dog’ into an LLC

The Trump administration's proposal to slash the tax rate on partnerships and limited liability companies could set off a stampede of individual taxpayers trying to reclassify themselves as so-called pass-through businesses in order to take advantage of the savings, according to tax experts. In 2012, Kansas exempted pass-throughs from state income taxes, a move that was billed as a chance to spur so much business growth and job creation that it would actually raise money for the state treasury.

Political mainstay heads home to Utah, questions in his wake

" Since arriving in Washington in 2009, Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz has been a political mainstay, doggedly investigating Democrats, frequently appearing on cable TV and regularly updating his legions of social media followers with photos of himself, his family and even his dog, Ruby. His Twitter handle reminds people that of the 435 members, he's @jasoninthehouse.

Military veteran recognized for service decades after death

A South Dakota businessman who served in the Spanish-American War is finally receiving military recognition nearly half a century after his death. The Aberdeen News reports Thomas Jefferson Henegar's family will be able to place a military marker on his headstone at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in May after a lengthy journey to verify his military service.

AMA, AARP oppose latest Obamacare repeal effort

The influential American Medical Association, AARP and two major hospital groups all came out against a new amendment unveiled this week that would let states to weaken some of Obamacare's key protections for those with pre-existing conditions and for older enrollees. The so-called MacArthur amendment, authored by moderate Rep. Tom MacArthur of New Jersey, would let states allow insurers to offer less comprehensive policies and to charge people more based on their health status.

Report: Israel Not Expecting Trump to Move US Embassy to Jerusalem

Israeli officials said Thursday they did not believe President Donald Trump would move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and he is expected to sign a waiver on a congressional mandate on the action next month, according to news reported. A law mandating a move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was passed in Congress in the mid-1990s, Haaretz reported, and Trump is expected to follow all U.S. presidents since and sign the waiver because of national security reasons.

White House wants to push tax overhaul without Democrats

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, left, head to the motorcade to go to the Department of Veterans Affairs to sign an Executive Order on "Improving Accountability and Whistleblower Protection," Thursday, April 27, 2017, in Washington. less President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, left, head to the motorcade to go to the Department of Veterans Affairs to sign an Executive Order on "Improving Accountability and Whistleblower ... more WASHINGTON - A senior administration official said Thursday the White House plans to push its tax overhaul without any support from congressional Democrats .

Flynn was warned not to accept foreign government payments

In this Feb. 13, 2017 file photo, Mike Flynn arrives for a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Documents released by lawmakers show Flynn, now former national security adviser, was warned when he retired from the military in 2014 not to take foreign money without "advance approval" by Pentagon authorities.

Congress aims for Friday vote on bill to avoid shutdown

Lawmakers are giving themselves a one-week extension on spending legislation to keep the lights on in government, after the White House backed off a threat to withhold payments that help lower-income Americans pay their medical bills. It was the latest concession by the White House, which had earlier dropped a demand for money for President Donald Trump's border wall.

Key U.S. lawmakers in favour of Obamacare replacement

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, flanked by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif. and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., leaves the podium during a news conference after a GOP caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2017 .

Suspended Alabama chief justice running for Senate to ‘make America good again’

Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore announces his plan to run for U.S. Senate during a Wednesday news conference on the steps of the Capitol in Montgomery. Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore announces his plan to run for U.S. Senate during a Wednesday news conference on the steps of the Capitol in Montgomery.

Trump administration talks tough on North Korea, but frustrated lawmakers want details

From Second from left, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. and Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. prepare to board a bus on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, as they head to the White House to get a briefing on North Korea.

Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Moore running for US Senate

Supporters of suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore gather to listen to him announce his plan to run for U.S. Senate at a news conference Wednesday, April 26, 2017, on the steps of the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala. The fiery Republican jurist, who was suspended from the bench on accusations that he urged defiance of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing gays and lesbians to marry, is running for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Trump agrees not to terminate Nafta for now

Washington, April 27 - US President Donald Trump has told the leaders of Canada and Mexico that he was not immediately planning to end the North American Free Trade Agreement , an accord which he railed against as a presidential candidate, the White House said. Trump, in phone calls with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday, agreed to proceed swiftly to enable the renegotiation of the Nafta deal to the benefit of all three countries.

Monument review includes oceans, tribal lands and Sequoias

President Donald Trump's call to review 24 national monuments established by three former presidents puts in limbo protections on large swaths of land home to ancient cliff dwellings, towering Sequoias, deep, canyons and oceans habitats where seals, whales and sea turtles roam. Trump and other critics say presidents have lost sight of the original purpose of the law created by President Theodore Roosevelt that was designed to protect particular historical or archaeological sites rather than wide expanses.

Trump to review ‘overreach’ in education

In a move meant to follow through on promises he made to conservatives during the 2016 campaign, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to examine federal involvement in education. The order, which Trump signed while flanked by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Vice President Mike Pence and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, initiates a process that could see substantial changes made to K-12 education in the United States, the clearest signal yet that Trump hopes to put his stamp on the Education Department before his 100th day in office on Saturday.