Russian Forces Target Ukrainian Civilian Areas as Missile Hits Central Kharkiv  —  Moscow shifts approach toward heavy bombardment of Ukrainian cities after failing to execute quick invasion  —  KYIV, Ukraine—Russian forces struck the central square of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv early Tuesday …

Biden's State of the Union address to focus on Ukraine, U.S. economy  —  What to expect during Biden's first State of the Union address amid ongoing crisis in Ukraine  —  WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will come before Congress Tuesday seeking to sell his domestic and foreign policy agenda …

In just 72 hours, Europe overhauled its entire post-Cold War relationship with Russia  —  Just last week, many European countries were still so somnolent about the threat Russia posed to Ukraine that Germany's spy chief was caught unawares in Kyiv when the Kremlin invasion started.

Democrats turn against mask mandates as Covid landscape and voter attitudes shift  —  Why are mask mandates falling away now?  —  WASHINGTON — When President Joe Biden gives his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, the mask mandate will be gone in the Capitol, reflecting a stark nationwide shift …

How Russia's Nobel-Winning Newspaper Is Covering Ukraine  —  “We continue to call war war,” Dmitry Muratov, the editor of Novaya Gazeta, said.  “We are waiting for the consequences.”  —  Last year, Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta …

The limits of “following the science”  —  Two years into the pandemic, the idea of “following the science” has oversimplified what's actually a complex array of factors that policymakers must weigh in formulating a response. … Even when data is irrefutable, people can disagree on the application …

Marco Rubio Says He's Boycotting Biden's State of the Union Over COVID Test Tantrum  —  SORE LOSS  —  Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is refusing to attend President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday because he's upset that everyone has been asked to check if they have COVID-19 before they show up.

Major social media platforms ban Russian state media in Europe … Major social media companies including YouTube, Facebook and TikTok moved to ban Russian state media outlets in Europe, blocking Moscow's biggest megaphone for influencing public opinion about the war in Ukraine in a critical region on its borders.

Exclusive: Nord Stream 2 owner considers insolvency after sanctions … The Swiss-based company which built the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany is considering filing for insolvency, two sources familiar with the situation said, as it attempts to settle claims ahead …

Louis Tomlinson, Yungblud and Franz Ferdinand pull Russian tour dates  —  Louis Tomlinson and Franz Ferdinand are the latest music stars to pull gigs in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine.  —  US band Green Day and pop punk star Yungblud have also cancelled dates.

House centrists: Tlaib “keying your own car”  —  Centrist House Democrats are unloading on Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) for her plan to give a response to President Biden's State of the Union address on Tuesday.  — “It's like keying your own car and slashing your own tires,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) told Axios.

Europe needs more American oil and gas, not windmills and rainbows  —  To hear White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki tell it, the United States can reduce the world's energy dependence on Russia by installing solar panels and perhaps re-insulating homes.  —  President Joe Biden began his term …

The tide has turned against the Russia apologists — and the neutrals  —  For the better part of five-plus years, Donald Trump attempted to inject some nuance into the GOP's posture toward Russia.  It was a partially a strategy of necessity — given how Russia's 2016 election interference loomed …

‘Yes, He Would’: Fiona Hill on Putin and Nukes  —  For many people, watching the Russian invasion of Ukraine has felt like a series of “He can't be doing this” moments.  Russia's Vladimir Putin has launched the largest ground war in Europe since the Second World War.  It is, quite literally, mind-boggling.

Scoop: Biden to deny executive privilege for Flynn and Navarro  —  President Biden will deny the shield of executive privilege for two top advisers to former President Donald Trump — his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and former trade adviser Peter Navarro …