US Rep. Madison Cawthorn calls Ukrainian president a ‘thug’  —  RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina told supporters he thought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a “thug”—a comment that runs counter to the overwhelming share of Republicans with a favorable view …

Exclusive: Facebook temporarily allows posts on Ukraine war calling for violence against invading Russians or Putin's death  —  Meta Platforms (FB.O) will allow Facebook and Instagram users in some countries to call for violence against Russians and Russian soldiers in the context of the Ukraine invasion …

2020 Census Undercounted U.S. Population by Nearly 19 Million  —  The Census Bureau said it had undercounted Black, Latino and Indigenous people and overcounted white and Asian Americans.  —  The 2020 census undercounted the country's population by 18.8 million people, the Census Bureau said on Thursday …

The real reason the feds haven't indicted Trump  —  Above all others, there is one question that Democrats cannot stop asking: “Why hasn't Attorney General Merrick Garland indicted former president Donald Trump?”  —  Garland's remarks today, on the one-year anniversary of his appointment …

Even Russian State TV Is Pleading With Putin to Stop the War  —  State propagandists called for Putin to end the “special military operation” before “frightening” sanctions destabilize his regime and risk civil war in Russia.  —  There is a notable mood shift in Russia …

Iran nuclear talks close to collapse over Russian demands  —  With its economy teetering, Russia wants sanctions protections written into the deal.  Negotiations will likely now pause amid the impasse.  —  VIENNA — The Iran nuclear talks are on the precipice of collapse over last-minute Russian demands …

McConnell book: Tight-lipped senator opens archive to AP reporter  —  Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), one of America's most inscrutable power players, has made the surprising decision to open his archive to a journalist, and sit for long interviews.

Israel's Knesset passes law barring Palestinian spouses  —  Israel's parliament on Thursday passed a law denying naturalization to Palestinians from the occupied West Bank or Gaza married to Israeli citizens, forcing thousands of Palestinian families to either emigrate or live apart.

Facing a tough election, House Democrats are conflicted about the way to win  —  PHILADELPHIA — House Democrats gathered here to take stock of their achievements and chart a path to hold their tenuous majority.  But just as they hoped to unify and take on Republicans, their differences were on stark display.

Local Election Officials Survey (March 2022) … Nearly one in three local election officials know at least one election worker who has left the job, partly due to safety concerns, increased threats, or intimidation.

Elephants in the room  —  COEUR d'ALENE — The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee has reportedly planned and recruited volunteers to infiltrate the Kootenai Democrats, install an “antisemitic troll” as party chair and funnel money donated to Democrats to local Republicans instead.

New Covid fraud prosecutor steps up effort to convict people who stole billions in relief benefits  —  Covid-19 fraud enforcement director ‘honored’ to take on new role  —  The federal government's new top prosecutor for serious fraud against the massive pandemic relief program is setting …

A Fox News reporter's schooling of Sean Hannity veers into dark territory  —  A virulent claim is circulating in right-wing media and among some Republicans: The United States might be working on biolabs in Ukraine.  This assertion, which echoes Russian propaganda and implies that the United States …

EXCLUSIVE: AOC-backed candidate facing run-off with Texas congressman Henry Cuellar had steamy fling with her high school teacher 23 years her senior, texts reveal, as his ex claims politician broke up her marriage  — Jessica Cisneros, 28, had a long-term affair with her former high school teacher John Balli, 51

Russians swarm to Victoria's Secret as stores close amid Putin's war on Ukraine  —  Victoria's Secret is that she's a lover, not a fighter.  —  Russians are flocking to Victoria's Secret stores before the lingerie company shuts down multiple locations across the country in protest of Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.

Sources: MLB, union reach tentative agreement on new CBA, salvage 162-game season  —  Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached a tentative agreement on a new collective-bargaining agreement Thursday, ending the league's 99-day lockout of the players and salvaging a 162-game season …

A Potential Rarity in American Politics: A Fair Congressional Map  —  This year's congressional map, despite continued gerrymandering, is poised to have a nearly equal number of districts that lean Democratic and Republican.  —  For years, America's congressional map favored Republicans over Democrats.

Michael Flynn testifies in closed-door meeting with Jan. 6 committee  —  WASHINGTON — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol interviewed Michael Flynn on Thursday, after subpoenaing him to testify about an Oval Office meeting at which, the panel said …

North Korean missile launches were a ‘serious escalation,’ official says … North Korea has tested components of a new intercontinental ballistic missile system, the Biden administration said Thursday, in what one senior official described as a “serious escalation” of North Korea's long-range missile program.

The Trailer: Democrats want the oil industry to drill more.  What does that mean for climate campaigners?  —  In this edition: The climate left grapples with the Ukraine crisis, a conservative operative explains how the Supreme Court can wipe out Democratic-friendly maps next year …

“Infamy Is Kind Of Fun”: Grimes on Music, Mars, and Her Secret New Baby With Elon Musk  —  So I show up at Grimes's house on a Tuesday afternoon.  Grimes's real name is Claire Boucher, and she answers to Grimes or Claire, or even better, c, as in the speed of light.

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoes proposed Congressional district map  —  Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday night vetoed the congressional redistricting map passed by the Republican-majority Legislature, saying it should have included a district that would allow a second Black candidate a chance …

Russia says China refuses to supply aircraft parts after sanctions  —  China has refused to supply Russian airlines with aircraft parts, an official at Russia's aviation authority was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying on Thursday, after Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA) halted supply of components.

Grassley privately investigating Garcetti, wants nomination held  —  A top Senate Republican is seeking to delay Eric Garcetti's nomination to serve as President Joe Biden's ambassador to India, pending an investigation into whether the mayor of Los Angeles lied when he told a congressional panel …

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says Americans will likely see another year of ‘very uncomfortably high’ inflation  — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday that Americans will likely see another year of “very uncomfortably high” inflation.  — “We have seen a very meaningful increase …

Ready to Die?  Why Most People Flunk the Zelenskyy Test.  —  In his bid for international support for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has found a good line, and he knows it.  —  “This might be the last time you see me alive,” he told European leaders in a conference call, shortly after his country was invaded.

TSA to extend mask mandate for planes, public transportation until April 18  —  WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration is extending the mask mandate on public transportation until April 18, according to a White House official and a TSA official.

The Trans Movement Is Failing Where the Gay-Rights Movement Succeeded  —  By abandoning the libertarian ‘live and let live’ approach, transgender activists are alienating Americans.  —  he transgender and gay-rights movements are often lumped together — including in the very acronym LGBT …

MedStar doctor hit by his own car and killed after a thief jumped in and sped off … Rakesh Patel pulled his gray Mercedes to a curb near Florida Avenue and U Street in Northwest Washington on Tuesday night, got out and walked over to his waiting girlfriend.  —  He had a package for her, and he set it on the sidewalk.