Inside Ted Cruz's last-ditch battle to keep Trump in power … Sen. Ted Cruz was dining near the Capitol on the evening of Dec. 8, 2020, when he received an urgent call from President Donald Trump.  A lawsuit had just been filed at the Supreme Court designed to overturn the election Trump had lost …

Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian Peace Negotiators Suffer Symptoms of Suspected Poisoning  —  The Russian oligarch and others developed symptoms they blamed on hard-liners in Moscow who they say want to sabotage talks to end the war  —  Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace …

Jared Kushner expected to appear before Jan. 6 committee this week  —  Plans are for Kushner to appear virtually before the panel, say sources.  —  Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law who served as a senior West Wing aide during the Trump administration …

Academy ‘strongly considered’ removing Will Smith from Oscars after slapping Chris Rock, source says  —  (CNN)Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences leadership “strongly considered” removing Will Smith from the Oscars telecast Sunday night after the actor stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock …

Ukraine says it retook several towns as it seeks to relieve hard-pressed cities.  —  Despite talk of Russia focusing its ambitions in the east, action on several battlefronts suggested a more dynamic and volatile situation.  Ukraine and Russia will meet this week for in-person talks.

Russia no longer demanding Ukraine be ‘denazified’ in ceasefire talks  —  Requests include Kyiv dropping Nato pursuit in exchange for security guarantees and EU membership  —  Russia is no longer requesting Ukraine be “denazified” and is prepared to let Kyiv join the European Union …

‘Biggest fraud in a generation’: The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPP  —  They bought Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Bentleys.  —  And Teslas, of course.  Lots of Teslas.  —  Many who participated in what prosecutors are calling the largest fraud in American history …

How an Ivy League School Turned Against a Student  —  Mackenzie Fierceton was championed as a former foster youth who had overcome an abusive childhood and won a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.  Then the University of Pennsylvania accused her of lying.

We are reinstating our SAT/ACT requirement for future admissions cycles by Stu Schmill '86  —  in order to help us continue to build a diverse and talented MIT … When we initially suspended our testing requirement due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I wrote:

Chris Wallace's stark admission about Tucker Carlson shames Fox News  —  When Chris Wallace resigned from Fox News last December, media observers correctly diagnosed the move's real meaning: This stripped away one of the last fig leaves disguising Fox's increasing role as a propaganda operation on Donald Trump's behalf.

The Revenge of the Normal Republicans  —  This article was featured in One Story to Read Today, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a single must-read from The Atlantic, Monday through Friday.  Sign up for it here.  —  HELOTES, Texas—Last spring, having just retired from Congress, Will Hurd was feeling adrift.

Biden's asking for $5.8 trillion in spending for 2023.  He's unlikely to get it.  —  Every year, reporters write a similar story that goes something like this: President Whoever today announced a $5 trillion budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, an articulation of his spending priorities …

A milestone: Majority say they've had covid — even more in GOP … Early this year, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration offered a stern and ominous warning: Most Americans were going to contract the coronavirus.  —  Americans now report that we have reached this milestone.

'Don't Say Gay' bill signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  —  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, a policy that has drawn intense national scrutiny …

Why U.S. Population Growth Is Collapsing  —  Sign up for Derek's newsletter here.  —  The U.S. population grew at the slowest pace in history in 2021, according to census data released last week.  That news sounds extreme, but it's on trend.  First came 2020, which saw one of the lowest U.S. population-growth rates ever.

The drone operators who halted Russian convoy headed for Kyiv  —  Special IT force of 30 soldiers on quad bikes is vital part of Ukraine's defence, but forced to crowdfund for supplies  —  One week into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia massed a 40-mile mechanised column in order to mount an overwhelming attack on Kyiv from the north.

Calling Gabbard and Carlson Traitors on Russia Only Grows Their Appeal  —  It's an old story: In times of war, antiwar voices are labeled disloyal.  —  This month, former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard appeared on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News, where they both alleged …

Ukrainians claim to retake ground ahead of latest talks  —  LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces claimed to have retaken a Kyiv suburb and an eastern town from the Russians in what is becoming a back-and-forth stalemate on the ground, while negotiators began assembling for another round of talks Tuesday aimed at stopping the fighting.

Anita Dunn and SKDK: Power and influence in Biden's Washington … Veterans of the Biden campaign gathered earlier this month for a private party at the Washington office of SKDK, a powerful public relations and political strategy firm.  The atmosphere was festive, and treats included candy …

People's Convoy Gives Up, Will Leave D.C. After 3 Weeks of Doing Absolutely Nothing  —  After creating a mini-city in Hagerstown, the trucker convoy will pack it up and leave town in the coming days.  —  Three weeks after the so-called “People's Convoy” landed in Washington, D.C. …

Trump staff defensive over claims of ‘anemic’ turnout at Georgia rally: ‘Fake news!’  —  'This is the smallest crowd I've seen at a rally of his in Georgia since he won the 2016 election,' says journalist Greg Bluestein  —  (Related) Trump teases 2024 presidential run and repeats false claim election was stolen

Rival Networks Aided Fox News After Ukraine Tragedy, Highlighting War-Zone Collaboration  —  Journalists are coordinating on an array of challenges, including travel routes, evacuation plans and access to supplies  —  In the hours after three journalists working for Fox News in Ukraine took fire …