Live Updates: Putin Prepares Decision on Breakaway Ukraine Regions  —  President Vladimir V. Putin said he would decide by day's end whether to recognize the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk.  U.S. officials worry that Russia could use such a recognition to move more forces in.

How Donald Trump Played Himself  —  Donald Trump has survived multiple investigations by following the same playbook: blasting them as “witch hunts” and refusing to testify under oath.  His strategy backfired last week, as a New York state judge ordered him and two of his children to sit for depositions in 21 days.

‘Something Went Wrong’: Trump's Twitter Ripoff Suffers Bumpy Launch  —  Would-be users of Trump's new app merely struggled to create an account after Sunday night's launch.  —  Team Trump has been cooking up its own social network ever since the then-president was thrown off all major platforms for his posts inciting the Capitol riot.

Biden needs a Trump substitute  —  Searching for a strategy to avoid a 2022 midterm disaster, advisers to President Biden have discussed elevating a unifying Republican foil not named Donald Trump. … - Biden isn't on the ballot in November. … - Biden advisers and Hill allies told Axios voters …

It's Time To Cancel Presidents Day  —  The fracturing of society in recent years under the strain of Donald Trump's presidency and the racial reckoning spurred by George Floyd's murder has had one positive consequence: A widespread awakening of interest in the American past.

Texas GOP revolts against Trump's favorite cowboy  —  Maybe it was his move to raise taxes and fees on farmers.  Or his regular practice of alienating state lawmakers.  Or his decision to pick a fight with the BBQ industry.  Or the bribery scandal surrounding his political consultant.

Voters would cut grocery tax; require vaccines for first responders, teachers, medical pros but not for students; keep teaching impact of racism on society, not ban CRT  —  Summary of Key Findings  — A majority of Virginia voters prefer spending the state budget surplus …

Who is dying of COVID?  It's still mainly the unvaccinated  —  Recent CDC data shows unvaccinated people are 20 times more likely to die.  —  When the recent COVID-19 wave fueled by the omicron variant hit the U.S., no one expected it would lead to the number of deaths it did.

Kids-Last COVID Policy Makes No Sense  —  Local governments are relaxing pandemic restrictions at a dizzying pace, removing mask requirements and vaccine entry rules for businesses.  Politicians are generally pushing for a return to normalcy.  But for one group, change is not forthcoming: children.

Trump's GOP critics to gather in Washington with an eye on 2024 presidential race  —  A group of Republican critics of former President Donald Trump will gather in Washington, D.C., this week to cheer on the two GOP members of the House select committee investigating the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol …

Democrats are engaged in a ‘new politics of evasion’ that could cost them in 2024, new study says … Three decades ago, Democratic policy analysts William A. Galston and Elaine Kamarck published a bracing critique of their party, warning against a “politics of evasion” that they said ignored electoral reality …

New York Times Wins 2 Polk Awards for Investigative Reporting  —  The Times was honored for coverage that revealed a plot behind the murder of the Haitian president and for investigations on the toll of America's air war in the Middle East.  —  The New York Times won two George Polk Awards …

Former Trump chief of staff endorses Nancy Mace  —  Former Trump White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney on Monday endorsed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who is battling in a GOP primary against a Trump-endorsed challenger.  —  “Congresswoman Nancy Mace is a proven fiscally conservative leader …

This Is How Big Pharma Wins  —  Two years into the pandemic, the industry has evaded reforms a supermajority of voters want.  —  On September 19, 2019, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act.  The bill, known as H.R. 3, was a shot across the bow …