U.S. May Launch Strike If North Korea Reaches For Nuclear Trigger  —  The U.S. is prepared to launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons against North Korea should officials become convinced that North Korea is about to follow through with a nuclear weapons test, multiple senior U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.

If Trump Fired Bannon, Would He Seek Revenge?  —  When Steve Bannon vacated a home in Florida in 2015, his landlord complained that an entire Jacuzzi had apparently been coated in acid.  After conservative media star Dana Loesch left Bannon's employ at Breitbart News in 2012 …

36 ISIS fighters killed by US ‘mother of all bombs’: Afghan official  —  (CNN)In its second major display of military might in one week, the US dropped its most powerful non-nuclear bomb on ISIS positions in a remote part of Afghanistan.  —  Afghan officials said 36 militants were killed …

Free speech is not violated at Wellesley  —  Many members of our community, including students, alumnae and faculty, have criticized the Wellesley community for becoming an environment where free speech is not allowed or is a violated right.  Many outside sources have painted us as a bunch …

Stealth caucus gains ground in Trump White House  —  In President Trump's White House, it's better to not be seen or heard — at least in public.  —  A cadre of Trump's top aides from New York City — economic adviser Gary Cohn, deputy national security adviser Dina Powell and Trump family members Ivanka …

Why Do Democrats Feel Sorry for Hillary Clinton?  —  Every day, the incoherence deepens: He's going to cover “everyone,” but he's going to push 24 million people off their health insurance.  He's going to wipe out the debt, but his tax cuts and spending spree will add trillions to it.

Sen. Jeff Flake weathers brutal, 2 1/2-hour Mesa town hall  —  The Arizona senator was battered with questions about Trump's proposed border wall; internet privacy; taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood; and his opposition to ‘Obamacare.’  —  U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake endured a brutal face …

Small-town resistance: Dems pull off shocking red-seat wins across Illinois  —  This week saw an amazingly close race in the special election for Kansas's 4th Congressional District, one of the most conservative parts of the country.  Democrat James Thompson came within 7 points of Republican Ron Estes …

Attorney General Jeff Sessions: Consent decrees ‘can reduce morale of the police officers’  —  (CNN)Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Thursday that consent decrees between the federal government and local police departments on reforming police activities can lower police morale.

I voted for Trump.  After the Syria strikes, I'm second-guessing my choice.  —  What happened to “America First”?  —  This is how the Beltway establishment, Republicans and Democrats alike, think about American foreign policy:  —  America's role is to lead the world.

Trump's MOAB Drop Triggered a Tweet You Need to Read  —  I want you to read this tweet, sent after today's MOAB drop and written by an American patriot and a man I'm privileged to know, Johnny (Joey) Jones: … In response to online argument, he further amplified his point: … And again:

Le Pen Criticizes Trump for Changing His Mind on NATO  —  French candidate says administration may have swayed Trump  —  U.S. president said military alliance was “no longer obsolete”  —  French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said Friday U.S. President Donald …

Poll: Ossoff Increases Lead in GA6; Runoff Likely  —  In our final poll of the GA6 jungle primary-style special election, some slight movement indicates that Ossoff's well-funded machine is gradually increasing his support, while Handel has maintained her status as the leading Republican.  —  Toplines:

Paul LePage says he might run for Senate, but doesn't think he would ‘make a very good legislator’  —  PORTLAND, Maine — Maine's Republican governor says he's strongly considering running for the US Senate, but also feels he “wouldn't make a very good legislator.”

For Neil Gorsuch, Supreme Court job may seem subordinate  —  WASHINGTON — Newly minted Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch will take his place Thursday inside the storied conference room where his eight colleagues have labored shorthanded for the past 14 months.  But he'll likely have one eye on the door.

Trump administration halts Obama-era rule aimed at curbing toxic wastewater from coal plants  —  The Trump administration has hit the pause button on an Obama-era regulation aimed at limiting the dumping of toxic metals such as arsenic and mercury by the nation's power plants into public waterways.

Russia Says Evidence Growing Syria Chemical Attack Was Staged  —  U.S. actions in Syria seek regime change, Lavrov says  —  Foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Syria meet in Moscow  —  Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a chemical-weapons attack in Syria that provoked U.S. missile strikes …

‘Proof’ Eli Manning was in on Giants memorabilia scheme … Giants quarterback Eli Manning was in on a scheme to sell phony game-worn gear — sending an email asking the team's equipment manager for “helmets that can pass as game used,” according to blockbuster court papers obtained by The Post.

The Great Japan Potato-Chip Crisis: Panic Buying, $12 Bags  —  Companies halt sales of some chip brands after bad potato crop  —  Calbee says it doesn't know when chips supply will be restored  —  Demand for potato chips has surged in Japan this week, with products on offer for 6 times …