US ethics chief quits after repeated confrontations with Trump and his administration

Walter Shaub Jr, director of the US Office of Government Ethics , announced on Thursday he would resign, following a rocky relationship with President Donald Trump and repeated confrontations with the administration. Shaub, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2013, had unsuccessfully pressed Trump to divest his business interests to avoid potential conflicts of interest, something Trump refused to do.

19 AGs sue DeVos for delaying for-profit college rules

Democratic attorneys general from 18 states and the District of Columbia sued U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Thursday over her decision to suspend rules that were meant to protect students from abuse by for-profit colleges. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington , says DeVos violated rule-making laws when she announced a June 14 decision to delay so-called borrower defense to repayment rules, which were finalized under President Barack Obama and scheduled to take effect July 1. In her announcement saying the rules would be delayed and rewritten, DeVos said they created "a muddled process that's unfair to students and schools."

US Government Ethics Director Who Prodded Trump Resigns

The government ethics director who prodded President Donald Trump's administration over conflicts of interest is resigning to take a new job. Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics, is joining the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit in Washington that mostly focuses on violations of campaign finance law.

‘Fake News’ Recoil CNN star blasts Trump, gets key numbers wrong

CNN reporter Jim Acosta took heat Thursday from conservatives on Twitter after the combative correspondent accused President Trump of holding a "fake news conference" -- and later spewed some "fake news" of his own when he claimed Trump misstated the number of intelligence agencies that concluded Russia meddled in the presidential election. During a joint news conference with President Andrzej Duda in Poland, Trump took questions from reporters from The Daily Mail and MSNBC.

Trump says Russia likely hacked but nobody a knows for surea

On the eve of his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump questioned the veracity of American intelligence about foreign meddling in the U.S. election, arguing Thursday that Russia wasn't the only country that may have interfered. Opening his second overseas trip as president, Trump also warned North Korea that he's considering "some pretty severe things" in response to the isolated nation's unprecedented launch of a missile capable of reaching the U.S. Though he declined to offer specifics on the U.S. response, Trump called on all nations to confront the North's "very, very bad behavior."

Trump says Russia likely hacked but nobody ‘knows for sure’

On the eve of his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump questioned the veracity of American intelligence about foreign meddling in the U.S. election, arguing Thursday that Russia wasn't the only country that may have interfered. Opening his second overseas trip as president, Trump also warned North Korea that he's considering "some pretty severe things" in response to the isolated nation's unprecedented launch of a missile capable of reaching the U.S. Though he declined to offer specifics on the U.S. response, Trump called on all nations to confront the North's "very, very bad behaviour."

Trump Aides Build Their Own Fiefdoms

Politico : "Chief strategist Steve Bannon has two special assistants, a deputy assistant, an executive assistant and a body man working in his 'war room' - plus his external press hand, something his predecessors under President Barack Obama, David Axelrod and David Plouffe, never had while working in the White House.

Trump: Russia Likely Hacked Election but Nobody ‘Knows for Sure’

On the eve of his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump questioned the veracity of American intelligence about foreign meddling in the U.S. election, arguing Thursday that Russia wasn't the only country that may have interfered. Opening his second overseas trip as president, Trump also warned North Korea that he's considering "some pretty severe things" in response to the isolated nation's unprecedented launch of a missile capable of reaching the U.S. Though he declined to offer specifics on the U.S. response, Trump called on all nations to confront the North's "very, very bad behavior."

Oregon approves measure requiring insurers to cover abortion

Insurance companies in Oregon would be required to cover abortions and other reproductive services at no cost to the patient regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity under a measure approved Wednesday by lawmakers. Oregon already has some of the most liberal abortion laws in the U.S., leaving out otherwise common requirements for waiting periods or spending limits on taxpayer funds.

Pressure builds on Trump over pledge for closer Moscow ties

During his presidential campaign, Republican Donald Trump praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "strong leader" with whom he would like to reset tense U.S.-Russian relations. But as Trump heads to his first face-to-face meeting as president with Putin on Friday at the G20 summit in Germany, he is under pressure at home to take a tough line with the Kremlin.

Take Two for Trump in talks with unnerved European allies

U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pose during a family phto at the Greek Theatre during a G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, May 26, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX37RGG U.S. President Donald Trump will get a chance to patch up trans-Atlantic ties this week when he meets with NATO allies still rattled by his failure on an earlier trip to embrace the principle that an attack against one member is an attack against all.

Italian farmer turns field into Putin portrait ahead of G20

Italian farmer turns field into Putin portrait ahead of G20 The 135-meter -wide Putin portrait that artist Dario Gambarin created only can be properly viewed from above due to its scale. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2tNVdt0 An Italian land artist has created a giant portrait of Russian President Vladamir Putin in a field near the Italian city of Verona.

Democrat Kanew seeks to challenge Republican Rep. Blackburn

A film writer and producer says he is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee next year. The Tennessean reports that Justin Kanew says he was inspired to run for the heavily Republican 7th Congressional District seat because he opposes efforts to replace and repeal former President Barack Obama's signature health care law.

TV’s nonpartisan July 4th: fireworks, the US Constitution

This image released by HBO shows President Barack Obama, left, with filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi during the filming of "The Words That Built America," airing on the Fourth of July on HBO. This image released by HBO shows President Donald Trump during the filming of "The Words That Built America," airing on the Fourth of July on HBO.

Happy Birthday, Malia Obama! See How Much Barack Obama’s Daughters Have Grown Up Over the Years

All eyes have been on Malia Obama and Sasha Obama as they've grown up from little girls running through the White House to accomplished young women following in their accomplished 'rents footsteps. Barack Obama 's daughters aren't so little anymore, with Malia celebrating her 19th birthday today.

Obama touts Paris accord despite US withdrawal

Seoul, July 4 - Former US President Barack Obama championed global leaders' commitment to the Paris Agreement despite Washington's withdrawal from the accord, the media reported. The Paris agreement, even with the temporary absence of US leadership, will still be a critical factor in helping our children solve the enormous challenge in civilisation, Obama said on Monday at a Seoul conference organised by South Korea's Chosun Ilbo media group.

Trump back repeal-only health bill as ‘option’

President Donald Trump is pressuring wavering senators to back a Republican bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama's health care law but is holding open a repeal-only option if Republicans can't reach agreement over the July 4 recess, Trump's top legislative aide says. Marc Short, the White House's legislative director, said Trump was making weekend calls and believed senators were "getting close" on passing a bill.