Russia conducts new military exercises as Biden, Europeans intensify diplomacy on Ukraine  —  MOSCOW — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the United States on Tuesday of “building up tension” over Ukraine, as Russia launched simultaneous military exercises across the country involving thousands …

America can't quit polarizing politicians  —  New data finds that the nation's most polarizing politicians are often the ones that garner the most attention online.  —  Why it matters: Online engagement helps politicians build a bigger national profile and more fundraising power …

Alex Jones says he spoke to Jan. 6 committee and pled the Fifth ‘almost 100 times’  —  Conspiracy theorist and radio host Alex Jones said on his show Tuesday that he was deposed by the House committee investigating Jan. 6 and that he exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination “almost 100 times.”

A longtime Gingrich aide got a January 6 subpoena two weeks before Newt called the committee a ‘lynch mob’ whose members could go to jail  — Gingrich suggested January 6 Committee members could face jail if Republicans take over Congress.  — The sharp reaction came about two weeks …

Biden Starts Year Two With Diminished Public Support and a Daunting List of Challenges  —  Views of economy remain negative; most say prices have gotten worse while job availability has improved  —  Pew Research Center conducted this study to understand the public's views …

DeSantis Touts Covid Treatments After FDA Says They Don't Work  —  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is calling on regulators to allow use of two monoclonal antibody therapies for Covid-19 after the Food and Drug Administration halted their use in a ruling neither manufacturer disputes.

Neil Young Demands Spotify Remove His Music Over ‘False Information About Vaccines’  —  Neil Young posted a since-deleted letter to his management team and record label demanding that they remove his music from Spotify.  “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines …

New Media Outlet Grid Backed by Progressive Stars, Gulf Money, and Foreign Agents  —  The new progressive media outlet Grid, which has attracted press buzz and big-name talent, was developed by registered lobbyists for the United Arab Emirates with funding from UAE's deputy prime minister, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.

Kids Shouldn't Have to Be ‘Resilient’  —  Six years ago, on a Saturday afternoon, I got a call from a law-enforcement officer telling me that my husband had died in a bike wreck during a charity race for cancer research.  I had a toddler and was pregnant with my second daughter at the time.

The Bogus Claim That School Closures Will Doom Democrats  —  If you've read any national news stories over the past few months about the political implications of pandemic-induced school closures, you've likely come across Brian Stryker's name.  He's become the go-to source for reporters and commentators …

Ron Klain had the perfect résumé.  His first year showed the limits of that experience.  —  As Joe Biden closed in on the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, top advisers approached him with a careful process for choosing and vetting a potential White House chief of staff.

Biden administration to withdraw Covid-19 vaccination and testing regulation aimed at large businesses  —  Why the Supreme Court decided against vaccine mandate  —  (CNN)The Biden administration is withdrawing its Covid-19 vaccination and testing regulation aimed at large businesses …

Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman speaks publicly for first time since Jan. 6 insurrection  —  For the first time since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman has spoken out publicly about his experiences during the attack, where his actions were credited with saving countless lives.

McConnell plots GOP midterm strategy amid Trump's primary influence  —  (CNN)Former President Donald Trump has been relentless in his attacks against Senate Minority Mitch McConnell, making Republicans uneasy as they battle for the majority in the November midterms.

Axios-Ipsos poll: Omicron's big numbers  —  Two new Biden administration initiatives — mailing at-home COVID-19 tests to those who ask and making free N95 masks available — are hugely popular, each backed by 84% of Americans in the latest installment of the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index.

Manufacturers have less than five days' supply of some computer chips, Commerce Department says  —  Wafer-thin inventories leave factories vulnerable to shutdowns if their chip deliveries are interrupted by weather events or covid-19  —  Manufacturers and other buyers of computer chips …

Brianna Keilar Ridicules Putin ‘Propagandist’ Tucker Carlson: ‘Why is Rupert Murdoch Letting BS On the Air?’  —  Brianna Keilar flatly called Tucker Carlson “chief propagandist” after Fox News repeatedly called for political support for authoritarian Russian President Vladimir Putin over the emerging democracy of Ukraine.

Two Covid Americas  —  The unvaccinated are less worried than the boosted, according to a poll.  —  Covid's starkly different impact on the young and old has been one of the virus's defining characteristics.  It tends to be mild for children and younger adults but is often severe for the elderly.

Boris Johnson had birthday bash during lockdown, ITV News understands  —  A surprise party, with cake, and up to 30 guests - ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand outlines the events of the party, ITV News understands took place during lockdown  —  ITV News understands Boris Johnson had a birthday party during …

DontBrowbeatMyPete 😡  —  I still haven't stopped shaking after last night's attack.  Standing at the White House podium, the president of the United States — the most powerful man in the world — launched a violent incursion against my friend Peter Doocy, the best reporter in history.

On Substack, COVID misinformation is allowed to flourish  —  “It's not against the rules to be disagreeable or wrong.” … Dr. Joseph Mercola, touted as “the pioneer of the anti-vaccine movement,” gained fame during the pandemic for spreading COVID misinformation and offering alternative, false ‘cures’.