Russian strikes hit western Ukraine as offensive widens  —  LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia widened its military offensive in Ukraine on Friday, striking near airports in the west of the country for the first time as troops kept up pressure on the capital, Kyiv, and the U.S. and its allies prepared …

Biden, Democrats Lose Ground on Key Issues, WSJ Poll Finds  —  The president's handling of the Ukraine crisis hasn't boosted his overall political standing as voters worry about inflation  —  WASHINGTON—President Biden and his fellow Democrats have lost ground to Republicans on several …

New clues emerge about the money that might have helped fund the Jan. 6 insurrection  —  Eight months into the investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the financial story is one of the most closely held parts of the probe.  But the House select committee has shared some clues through its subpoenas and court filings.

House GOP winces as Hagedorn's scandal-plagued widow eyes his empty seat  —  The late GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn's widow is laying the groundwork to try to seek his old seat in Minnesota, according to multiple well-placed Republicans who are already raising alarms about her polarizing background.

National Democratic leaders draft proposal to reshape presidential calendar, threatening Iowa caucuses … WASHINGTON, D.C. — National Democratic leaders have drafted a proposal that could significantly reshape the party's presidential nominating process and put an end to Iowa's prized …

Herschel Walker's business record reveals creditor lawsuits, exaggerated claims  —  Over the past two decades, creditors have alleged Walker's businesses owed millions in unpaid loans.  —  While football great Herschel Walker's bid for the U.S. Senate hinges on his celebrity …

How Millions of Lives Might Have Been Saved from Covid-19  —  This article is part of Times Opinion's reflection on the two-year mark of the Covid pandemic.  Read more in a note from Alexandra Sifferlin, Opinion's health and science editor, in our Opinion Today newsletter.

Deutsche Bank defends decision not to exit Russia: It's not ‘practical’ right now  — Deutsche Bank's CFO said Thursday it is not “practical” to close its Russia business, despite similar moves by major corporations seeking to distance themselves from the pariah state.

Israel 'shouldn't exist as a Jewish state,' Amnesty USA director tells Democratic group  —  Paul O'Brien's comments follow an Amnesty International report accusing the Jewish state of committing apartheid  —  Following Amnesty International's recent report that accused Israel of “apartheid” …

His reporting on the Kennedy assassination made him a legend.  Then a press group looked into his past. … Merriman Smith was a distinguished White House correspondent for decades, but he cemented his place in journalism history on a bright afternoon in 1963.

EXCLUSIVE Facebook allows Ukraine war posts urging violence against invading Russians, Putin  —  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 …

Russia steps up Ukraine offensive as Biden increases economic pressure  —  Ukrainian forces continue to fight back as Russia encircles Kyiv  —  Russia appeared to step up its military offensive in Ukraine Friday, widening its aerial campaign to hit targets further west as its forces moved …

The New Identity Politics of Eric Adams  —  NEW YORK — The contradictions of man are many, and Eric Adams has more than most.  These mysteries of the self, whatever they might mean to the 8.8 million people of his city, however much they might fascinate or confuse, frustrate or delight, do not trouble the mind of the mayor.

Time for a Diplomatic Revolution  —  Cold War 2 is here, and the U.S. needs all the allies we can get. … Diplomatic revolutions are amazing things.  In some ways, they're the pivot of history.  It takes decades or even centuries for nations to rise and decline, but coalition formation …

Judge warns special counsel over provocative court filing  —  A federal judge delivered a warning to special counsel John Durham on Thursday after recent court filings became fodder for pro-Trump media and prompted incendiary allegations from the former president himself.

Unfounded Russian Claims of Biological Weapons Research in Ukraine Stir Fears of Wider Risk  —  Western officials are concerned the accusations could serve as a pretext for Moscow to unleash chemical or biological weapons  —  Russian officials accused the U.S. of funding biowarfare efforts in Ukraine …

Accused Russian Agent Gave to One Politician: Tulsi Gabbard  —  Russian-American national Elena Branson was indicted this week for lobbying for pro-Kremlin policies while not registered as a foreign agent.  She gave to one U.S. politician. … Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman …

These Democratic Megadonors Made a $108 Million ‘Lucky Bet’ on Wall Street.  Now the Feds Are Investigating.  —  Daily Beast owner Barry Diller, Lincoln Project patron David Geffen, and German prince Alex von Fürstenberg suspected of insider trading  —  Federal authorities …

Activism, Uncensored: The People's Convoy  —  From California to the Beltway, a wire-to-wire portrait of the American trucker protests  —  In a terrific piece of coast-to-coast video journalism, culminating in a story that's still live — the “Freedom Convoy,” an American version …

U.S. to Ban Russian Imports of Alcohol and Seafood  —  The U.S. is planning to ban imports of Russian alcohol and seafood, according to people familiar with the matter, in the latest effort to punish Moscow for the country's invasion of Ukraine.  —  President Biden is expected to detail …