Famous Chinese general inspires porn star’s lawyer for Trump battles

Michael Avenatti has been a ubiquitous presence on cable television and late night talk shows since taking on as a client the woman who may now be the best-known XXX-rated movie star in America In the stranger-than-fiction reality show that is the Trump presidency, Anthony Scaramucci, the fast-talking New York investment banker known as the "Mooch", barely lasted one episode. But Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for Stormy Daniels, has emerged as a star in the ever-evolving drama engulfing the White House.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg warns of ‘epidemic of dishonesty’ in Washington

That's what former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a commencement speech Saturday at Texas' Rice University, warning that "an endless barrage of lies" and a trend toward "alternate realities" in national politics pose a dire threat to U.S. democracy. The 76-year-old billionaire, who flirted with an independent presidential run in 2016, did not call out any politicians by name.

Graham blasts White House aide’s McCain remark as ‘pretty…

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blasted White House officials Saturday for refusing to condemn a vile remark made about the mortality of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., with whom Graham spent several days last week as McCain battled an aggressive form of brain cancer. Graham, who also has maintained good relations with President Donald Trump, suggested that Trump might consider apologizing himself on behalf of the entire office after a press aide, Kelly Sadler, dismissed McCain's opposition to CIA nominee Gina Haspel by saying "he's dying, anyway."

Walmart has acknowledged labor violations

Walmart has settled a long-running battle with labor activists over the punishment of workers who claimed they were mistreated by managers for supporting efforts to organize by wearing union insignia. The agreement, obtained by Bloomberg News, forces Walmart to publicly acknowledge in some of its California stores that it violated federal labor law and to stop threatening workers who support strikes or organization efforts.

Paul Ryan warns of ‘blue wave’ at Wisconsin GOP convention

House Speaker Paul Ryan is warning fellow Republicans in his farewell speech at the Wisconsin state party convention that a "blue wave" could wipe out GOP advancements made since Donald Trump became president. Fellow Republican Gov. Scott Walker presented Ryan with a personalized Green Bay Packers jersey with a number "1" on the back.

Clashing views on Iran reflect a new balance of power in the cabinet

Five days before President Donald Trump pulled out of what he called the "horrible" Iran nuclear deal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told diplomats from Britain, France and Germany that he believed the pact could still be saved. If Pompeo could win a few more days for negotiations, he told the Europeans in a conference call May 4, there was a chance - however small - the two sides could bridge a gap over the agreement's "sunset provisions," under which restrictions on Iran's nuclear program expire in anywhere from seven to 13 years.

Second Democrat announces support for CIA nominee Haspel

Gina Haspel's nomination to be CIA director received a crucial boost Saturday when Sen. Joe Donnelly became the second Democrat to support President Donald Trump's choice despite questions about her role in the previous decade's controversial interrogation program. The senator from Indiana, who met with Haspel on Thursday, said in a statement that he had ''a tough, frank, and extensive discussion'' with her that covered both her vision for the agency and its past use of ''enhanced'' interrogations against terrorist captives, including methods such as waterboarding that are widely considered torture.

Will Trump negotiate with California on auto gas mileage?

Addressing a key concern for manufacturers, President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to explore negotiations with California on achieving a single fuel economy standard for the nation during a meeting with auto industry executives. The president met with top auto executives Friday to discuss the standards and tasked Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to handle the talks with California officials, according to two people briefed on the meeting.

Bloomberg warns of ‘epidemic of dishonesty’

Americans are facing an "epidemic of dishonesty" in Washington that's more dangerous than terrorism or communism. That's according to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who warned in a commencement speech on Saturday at Texas' Rice University that "an endless barrage of lies" and a trend toward "alternate realities" in national politics pose a dire threat to U.S. democracy.

Polls close across Iraq in first vote since victory over IS

Four years in office, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has racked up a list of achievements t... . In this Monday, April 23, 2018 photo, campaign poster of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is displayed in Baghdad, Iraq.

Giuliani cautions no Trump-Russia interview decision soon

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said President Donald Trump is "somewhat embarrassed" by the special counsel's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. President Donald Trump applauds during an event about prescription drug prices with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 11, 2018.

Trump’s prescription to reduce drug prices takes small steps

President Donald Trump is launching what he says will be the "most sweeping action in history to lower the price of prescription drugs for the American people." President Donald Trump speaks during an event about prescription drug prices with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 11, 2018.