Chris Collins becomes first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump  —  WASHINGTON - Rep. Chris Collins, a mainstream Republican from Clarence, on Wednesday became the first sitting member of Congress to endorse bombastic billionaire Donald Trump for president.

A Responsibility I Take Seriously  —  The Constitution vests in the President the power to appoint judges to the Supreme Court.  It's a duty that I take seriously, and one that I will fulfill in the weeks ahead.  —  It's also one of the most important decisions that a President will make.

The Only Strategy For Hillary Clinton Is To Scorch The Earth  —  If Hillary Clinton manages to beat Bernie Sanders, the early primaries have already revealed that there's only one strategy for the general election against a Republican, be it Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, or Ted Cruz: Scorch the earth.

The $400,000-a-year New Zealand job with three months' holiday that no one wants  —  GP surgery in Tokoroa has been looking for a junior doctor for two years, with no takers so far despite generous package  —  A rural GP in New Zealand is offering a $400,000 (£190,000) …

Reports surface of irregularities at Nevada caucuses  —  Republican officials are looking into reports of double-voting at Tuesday night's Nevada caucuses, according to multiple reports.  —  The party is currently reviewing the process, and a Republican National Committee official said the “chaos is contained,” according to Mashable.

Texas Court Clears Ex-Gov. Rick Perry of 2nd Felony Charge  —  Texas' highest criminal court tossed the second and final felony charge against former Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday, likely ending a case the Republican says helped sink his short-lived 2016 presidential bid.

Abortion Clinics Are Closing at a Record Pace  —  At least 162 providers have closed since 2011.  —  Esmé E Deprez  —  Abortion access in the U.S. has been vanishing at the fastest annual pace on record, propelled by Republican state lawmakers' push to legislate the industry out of existence.

Solid support for Apple in iPhone encryption fight: poll  —  Nearly half of Americans support Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) decision to oppose a federal court order demanding that it unlock a smartphone used by San Bernardino shooter Rizwan Farook, according to a national online Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Noam Chomsky: We Owe the Rise of Trump to Fear and the ‘Breakdown of Society’  —  Leading GOP candidate is taking advantage of America's fears.  —  Noam Chomsky.  —  Noam Chomsky, 87, is without a doubt the most significant academic figure to cast a highly critical eye on U.S. foreign policies.

Melania Trump: ‘I followed the law’ as immigrant  —  Melania Trump is defending her husband's campaign, particularly his outspoken rhetoric on immigration and what critics have perceived as a harsh tone directed toward women.  —  “I followed the law,” Trump said in an interview …