Republicans ramp up search for an escape hatch from speaker chaos  —  A bipartisan solution to the GOP's leadership problems still sounds farfetched to most.  But then, so does Jim Jordan's prospects of winning next week.  —  Centrists are signaling they're open to a deal.  Democrats are outlining terms.

Trump falsely characterized Israel's role in his administration's hit on Iran's Soleimani, say former U.S. officials  —  “They were never on board with it,” said a former senior White House official, referring to the Israelis.  “They always thought it was a dangerous and destabilizing idea.”

‘Top secret’ Hamas documents show that terrorists intentionally targeted elementary schools and a youth center  —  Maps and documents recovered from the bodies of Hamas attackers reveal a coordinated plan to target children and take hostages inside an Israeli village near Gaza.

Israeli President Says There Are No Innocent Civilians In Gaza  —  “It is an entire nation out there that is responsible,” Isaac Herzog said as Israel ordered 1.1 million Palestinians to evacuate their homes.  —  LOADING  —  As Israel engages in a massive air campaign ahead …

Michael Cohen Set to Skip Trump Bank Fraud Trial Testimony  —  Cohen is poised to be a star witness in the New York AG's case against his former boss, but he is planning to skip his appearance next week. … Michael Cohen, the archenemy of Donald Trump, was set to be the star witness at the ex-president's ongoing bank fraud trial.

4 Democratic centrists to McHenry: Let's make a deal  —  In a letter to McHenry that was obtained by POLITICO, the Democrats floated giving him “temporary, expanded authorities” — in exchange for concessions.

Israel Is Walking Into a Trap  —  Storming into Gaza will fulfill Hamas's wish.  —  It's a trap.  Hamas's ruthless and spectacular attack on southern Israel last Saturday was many things: an atrocity, a display of militant ingenuity, and a demonstration of the weakness of Israeli intelligence and defenses.

Dennis Kucinich Leaves Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Presidential Campaign  —  The former Democratic congressman, who served as Mr. Kennedy's campaign manager, departed just days after he introduced Mr. Kennedy as an independent candidate.  —  Dennis J. Kucinich has left his post …

Stanford students say lecturer called Jews in class ‘colonizers,’ minimized Holocaust  —  As Stanford University investigates reports that a lecturer discussing the war between Hamas and Israel “called out individual students in class based on their backgrounds and identities,” …

Stunning State Department Memo Warns Diplomats: No Gaza ‘De-Escalation’ Talk  —  As Israel escalates its offensive, U.S. diplomats are being discouraged from publicly using three phrases that would urge calm.  —  As Israel escalates its attacks on Gaza, the State Department …

Sunny Hostin compares Hamas to Proud Boys  —  Sunny Hostin, co-host of “The View,” compared Hamas to the Proud Boys in Friday's episode of the show in the wake of the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel.  —  “I think that we all know that Hamas has been designated a terror organization …

Yes, everyone should get an updated Covid-19 vaccine  —  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended  —  that everyone in the U.S. 6 months and older receive an updated Covid vaccine targeting the XBB.1.5 variant.  Since then, some notable voices,  —  including Paul Offit