Bipartisan Analysis: Senate Bill Would Hike Taxes For 13.8M

By MARCY GORDON, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Promoted as needed relief for the middle class, the Senate Republican tax overhaul actually would increase taxes for some 13.8 million moderate-income American households, a bipartisan analysis showed Monday. The assessment by Congress’ nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation emerged as the Senate’s tax-writing committee was set to begin…

President Trump Straddles On Issue Of Russian Election Meddling

By JONATHAN LEMIRE and JILL COLVIN, Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — President Donald Trump tried to have it both ways Sunday on the issue of Russian interference in last year’s presidential race, saying he believes the U.S. intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sincerity in claiming that his country…

Asia-Pacific Forum Sticks To Free-Trade Despite Trump

By TRAN VAN MINH and ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press DANANG, Vietnam (AP) — An annual Pacific Rim summit is sticking with its tradition of promoting free trade and closer regional ties, shrugging off President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach. The leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum said Saturday that they had recommitted to fighting…

Moore Denies Sexual Misconduct, But GOP Fears Election Risk

By STEVE PEOPLES and KIMBERLY CHANDLER, Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — His party suddenly and bitingly divided, Alabama Republican Roy Moore emphatically rejected increasing pressure to abandon his Senate bid on Friday as fears grew among GOP leaders that a once-safe Senate seat was in jeopardy just a month before a special election. Moore, an…

President Trump’s Asia Trip Presents A Crucial International Test

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — On his most grueling and consequential trip abroad, President Donald Trump stands ready to exhort Asian allies and rivals on the need to counter the dangers posed by North Korea’s nuclear threat. The 12-day, five-country trip, the longest Far East itinerary for a president in a generation, comes…

President Blasts Former Aide At Center Of Russia Probe As “Liar”

By STEPHEN BRAUN and STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that a former campaign aide thrust into the center of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe “has already proven to be a liar.” On Twitter, Trump sought to dismiss George Papadopoulos, who has provided key evidence in the first criminal…