Senate confirms Scott Pruitt to lead EPA

The Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, an agency Republicans desperately want to rein after what they charge was eight years of dangerous activism under the Obama administration that hurt businesses, jobs and the economy. Source: CNN

Flu vaccine is 48% effective this season, CDC says

The flu shot has been reducing the risk of infections in the United States by about half this season, according to reports issued Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the season is expected to continue for several more weeks. Source: CNN

Trump's wild press conference

President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary denunciation Thursday of his critics and media reports that his White House is in chaos, complaining he inherited a “mess” and slamming stories that his campaign was constantly in contact with Russia as “fake news.” Source: CNN

45 killed in Baghdad car bomb blast

A car bomb explosion killed 45 people and wounded at least 56 others in southwestern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official told CNN. The blast targeted a busy car market in the predominately Shiite al-Bayaa district, the official said. Source: CNN

Trump names Acosta as labor secretary pick

President Donald Trump will announce Thursday his plan to nominate Alexander Acosta to be labor secretary, two sources familiar with the plan tell CNN. The nomination comes one day after Andy Puzder, Trump’s first pick to lead the department, withdrew his nomination. Source: CNN

Trump's labor pick drops out

Top Senate Republicans have urged the White House to withdraw the Andrew Puzder nomination for labor secretary, a senior GOP source said, adding there are four firm Republican no votes and possibly up to 12. Source: CNN