Russia's Putin announces military operation in Ukraine  —  KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians.  —  In a televised address, Putin said the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine.

2 Prosecutors Leading N.Y. Trump Inquiry Resign, Clouding Case's Future  —  The prosecutors had abruptly stopped presenting evidence to a grand jury in the high-stakes criminal investigation into the former president's business practices.  —  The two prosecutors leading …

Ex-ERCOT chief says he was following Abbott's direction when they ran up billions in bills during freeze  —  The former head of the Texas power grid testified in court Wednesday that when he ordered power prices to stay at the maximum price cap for days on end during last year's frigid winter storm …

Is It Amnesia or Hypocrisy That Fuels the GOP's Crazy Response to Putin?  —  Fight disinformation.  Get a daily recap of the facts that matter.  Sign up for the free Mother Jones newsletter.  —  In the midst of an international crisis created by Russia that could potentially trigger a war in Europe …

Is Jen Psaki the Next Rachel Maddow?  —  Biden's spokesperson, who plans to leave the White House this year, is being feverishly courted by CNN and MSNBC, among others.  And Psaki has ambitions to become a marquee star.  Is she the next Maddow or Anderson?

Walker for Colorado: Lauren Boebert's worst nightmare  —  Alex Walker announces his candidacy for CO-03 to unseat Lauren Boebert and put an end to her constant jetstream of bulls**t.  Join the team: DONATE: https://s...

Oil, Gas and Commodities Aren't Being Weaponized — for Now  —  In the 24 hours after Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing two breakaway Ukrainian territories, the European Union, the U.K., and the U.S. bought a combined 3.5 million barrels of Russian oil and refined products, worth more than $350 million at current prices.

Texas governor calls on citizens to report parents of transgender kids for abuse  —  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling on “licensed professionals” and “members of the general public” to report the parents of transgender minors to state authorities if it appears the minors are receiving gender-affirming medical care.

The Pa. Supreme Court has picked a new congressional map  —  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has selected a new congressional map that will shape power and politics in the state for the next decade, one that is largely based on the current map and slightly favors Republicans.In a 4-3 decision Wednesday …

Ketanji Brown Jackson: Who is she?  Bio, facts, background and political views  —  President Joe Biden continues to deliberate on whom to nominate to succeed retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court, but Ketanji Brown Jackson has been viewed for months as a top contender.

The frame that doomed BBB  —  Welcome to POLITICO's West Wing Playbook, your guide to the people and power centers in the Biden administration.  —  As the Biden administration looks over the cadaver that is their Build Back Better agenda, wondering what components, if any, it can resuscitate …

School readiness losses during the COVID-19 outbreak.  A comparison of two cohorts of young children  —  Abstract  —  The COVID-19 context has created the most severe disruption to education systems in recent history.  Its impact on child development was estimated comparing two cohorts …

Father Carlson  —  Tucker Carlson is on Russia's side.  —  (PHOTOS: GAGE SKIDMORE / FLICKR / SHUTTERSTOCK)  —  Eighty years ago, when a dictator rose to power in Europe and invaded his neighbors, he found an ally in the United States.  The dictator was Adolf Hitler, and his ally was Charles Coughlin, a popular radio host.

Columbia Psychiatry Chair Suspended After Tweet About Dark-Skinned Model  —  The post from Jeffrey Lieberman, which described the model as possibly a “freak of nature,” drew negative attention from medical professionals.  —  The chair of the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry …

USPS Seals Gasoline-Trucks Deal, Shunning Biden EV Plea  —  The U.S. Postal Service has finalized a contract to replace its mail-truck fleet with almost all gasoline-powered models, drawing an angry response from Biden administration officials who unsuccessfully pushed the agency to buy electric vehicles instead.

Ivanka Trump in Talks With Jan. 6 Panel About Being Interviewed  —  Former President Donald J. Trump's eldest daughter has yet to commit to appearing, but investigators regard her as an important witness to what he was doing and saying during the riot.  —  WASHINGTON — Ivanka Trump …

Three men plead guilty to planning U.S. power grid attack, driven by white supremacy  —  (Reuters) - Three men pleaded guilty on Wednesday for their roles in conspiring to attack U.S. power grids, as part of a plot motivated by white supremacy to sow civil unrest and economic distress, the U.S. Justice Department said.

A Truck Caravan With Far-Right Links Heads to Washington, D.C.  —  Many backers of the caravan, planned as an American version of last month's chaotic Canadian protest, have connections to the violent attack on the Capitol in January 2021.  —  ADELANTO, Calif. — Though it was billed as a grass-roots …