Inside Trump's Backroom Effort to Lock Up the Nomination  —  As the former president dodges debates, it can seem as if he's bypassing the primary.  But he and his team have been working quietly to twist the delegate rules in their favor.  —  Not long after the new chairman of the Republican Party …

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.

The Real Danger in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Independent Run  —  Most of the concern over the independent presidential campaigns of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West and the No Labels party has focused on the risk that they could draw votes away from President Biden and throw the 2024 election to Donald Trump.

Judge punishes Rudy Giuliani for ‘continued and flagrant disregard’ of court orders  —  U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said jurors at an upcoming trial will be told that the former Trump lawyer intentionally tried to hide financial documents.  —  The judge presiding over the upcoming damages trial …

Israel-Hamas war: Palestinians struggle to flee Gaza  —  Bodies line up outside Gaza hospital as Israeli airstrikes continue  —  Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms  —  The Israeli military says it has prepared a “coordinated” …

How Kari Lake's Tactical Retreat on Abortion Could Point the Way for the G.O.P.  —  Kari Lake, along with other Republicans in battleground states, has come out against a national ban as candidates try to attract general election voters.  Anti-abortion activists aren't pleased.

Americans Might Leave Gaza on Saturday, Says US Official  — Israel and Egypt to allow opening of Rafah crossing: official  — It's unclear if Hamas will agree to that, the US official says  —  American citizens in the Gaza Strip may be allowed to leave on Saturday, according to a US official with knowledge of the situation.

France Deploys 7,000 Troops After a Fatal School Stabbing  —  France will mobilize up to 7,000 soldiers to increase security around the country after a teacher was fatally stabbed and three other people wounded in a school attack by a former student suspected of Islamic radicalization, the president's office said Saturday.

'I Don't Have Any Regrets': Former CIA Director Defends Letter Calling Hunter Biden Laptop Russian Disinformation  —  Former CIA Director Leon Panetta defended the letter on the Hunter Biden laptop on Friday's episode of “Special Report with Bret Baier.”  —  Panetta told Fox News host Bret Baier …

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.

The Coronavirus Still Doesn't Care About Your Feelings  —  The Covid-19 pandemic is not a state of mind—and telling us not to panic isn't healthcare.  —  Pocket  —  You might be forgiven for thinking it's been a very quiet few months for the Covid-19 pandemic.