Final preparations for court war  —  President Obama and his Republican opponents are making the final preparations for a public relations war over the vacancy on the Supreme Court.  —  It is likely to be one of the most heated confirmation fights in recent memory, with both sides expected …

N.C. sheriff's office won't file ‘inciting a riot’ charge against Trump  —  What's at stake in the Ohio GOP primary? … Catch up on the 2016 race  —  Republican front-runner Donald Trump will not face charges of inciting a riot after a raucous rally in North Carolina last week …

Pastor kicks off Trump rally by calling for Bernie Sanders to convert: 'Bernie's got to meet Jesus'  —  DON'T MISS STORIES.  FOLLOW RAW STORY!  —  A North Carolina pastor warmed up the crowd at a Donald Trump rally by urging Sen. Bernie Sanders to become a Christian.

Trump breaks 50% in national support for the first time  —  Showing little sign of a “ceiling”, Donald Trump has only grown in support with the exit of Ben Carson and Marco Rubio's collapse … In the last two weeks, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has won more delegates in primaries and caucuses …

Working-Class Whites Have Moral Responsibilities — In Defense of Kevin Williamson  —  This weekend, my colleague Kevin Williamson kicked up quite the hornet's nest with his magazine piece (subscription required) that strikes directly at the idea that the white working-class (the heart of Trump's support) is a victim class.

Ben Carson to Newsmax: I'm Promised a Spot in Trump Administration  —  Dr. Ben Carson revealed on Newsmax TV Monday that he will work in Donald Trump's administration — at least in an “advisory capacity” — if the Republican presidential front-runner is elected to the White House.

Putin Orders Start of Syria Withdrawal, Saying Goals Are Achieved  —  MOSCOW — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Monday ordered the withdrawal of the “main part” of Russian forces in Syria, a surprise move that he said was justified by the “overall completion” of Moscow's military mission in the war-ravaged country.

TODD PALIN EXPECTED TO RECOVER FROM SNOWMOBILE ACCIDENT  —  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An associate of Todd Palin says Sarah Palin's husband is expected to recover from a snowmobile accident in Alaska that left him hospitalized.  —  Scott Davis, Todd Palin's former snowmobile racing partner …

Man in attack on Canadian Forces members in Toronto said ‘Allah’: Sources  —  TORONTO -  —  A brazen knife attack that sent two Canadian soldiers to hospital was disturbing enough, but police sources say it was the attacker uttering the word “Allah” that prompted Toronto Police to call in terror experts.

Trump Is No Accident  —  Establishment Republicans who are horrified by the rise of Donald Trump might want to take a minute to remember the glitch heard round the world — the talking point Marco Rubio couldn't stop repeating in a crucial debate, exposing him to devastating ridicule and sending his campaign into a death spiral.

This Election Is 1968 All Over Again, And That's Not A Good Thing  —  Trump is George Wallace on steroids.  Cleveland resembles the Chicago of long ago.  And the bottom line back then was Richard Nixon.  —  Global Editorial Director, The Huffington Post  —  WASHINGTON — It was the spring …

Christie skips N.J. trooper funeral to campaign for Trump  —  TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie will not attend the Monday funeral of the New Jersey State Trooper who was killed in the line duty last week, and will instead spend the day campaigning out of state for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Republicans controlling the House are pressing ahead with an annual fiscal measure despite lingering opposition from tea party conservatives over its endorsement of higher spending permitted by last year's bipartisan budget and debt deal.  —  Several GOP lawmakers exiting a Monday evening strategy session …

Gawker owner explains difference between a Miley and an Obama sex tape  —  Nick Denton, Miley Cyrus and Michelle and Barack Obama Photo: Patrick McMullan ; Getty Images ; AP  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Gawker publisher Nick Denton wouldn't hesitate to post a Miley Cyrus sex tape online …

Sounding valedictory, Rubio blames ‘disintegration of our culture’ for nasty politics … WEST PALM BEACH — Giving what sounded like a valedictory address, Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday cited “the disintegration of our culture” for the increasingly nasty nature of American politics.

White House Appoints First Transgender Person As Primary LGBT Liaison  —  Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is now the White House's main point of contact for LGBT groups on all issues.  —  President Barack Obama has appointed Raffi Freedman-Gurspan as the White House's primary LGBT liaison …

The Trump-Berlusconi Syndrome  —  In the mid-1980s, when I was covering Italy for The Wall Street Journal, I profiled a brash, bruising, billionaire businessman named Silvio Berlusconi who had made a fortune in real estate and parlayed that into a control of an almost unrivaled private television empire.