Orrin G. Hatch, longest-serving Republican in Senate history, dies at 88  —  Orrin G. Hatch, a conservative Utah Republican who came out of political nowhere to win a U.S. Senate seat in 1976 and ended his career 42 years later as the longest-serving Republican in the chamber's history …

The Belarusian railway saboteurs who helped thwart Russia's attack on Kyiv  —  When Russian troops first streamed across the Belarusian border into Ukraine for what they had assumed would be a lightning assault on Kyiv, they were intending to rely on the region's extensive rail network for supplies and reinforcements.

Utah Democrats back independent as US Senate candidate  —  Utah Democrats pulling hard to defeat Republican Sen. Mike Lee took the unusual step Saturday of spurning a party hopeful to instead get behind an independent, former presidential candidate Evan McMullin

The Former Chancellor Who Became Putin's Man in Germany  —  Gerhard Schröder, who is paid almost $1 million a year by Russian-controlled energy companies, has become a pariah.  But he is also a symbol of Germany's Russia policy.  — Give this article- - - Read in app

Michigan GOP moves forward with 2020 election-denying secretary of state and AG  —  Michigan Republicans picked two candidates — who deny the 2020 election results and have been endorsed by former President Trump — to serve as the state's next top elections officer and top law enforcement official.

Filing Provides New Details on Trump White House Planning for Jan. 6  —  Testimony disclosed by the House committee investigating the riot showed that Mark Meadows and Freedom Caucus members discussed directing marchers to the Capitol as Congress certified the election results.

Joe Kahn can be a great New York Times editor  —  I know him.  Here's why I think he might be the man for this perilous moment.  —  Unlike The Washington Post, whose last three top editors came from other news organizations — the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe and the Associated Press …

Russia-Ukraine war live updates: Zelensky says Blinken, Austin will visit Sunday; strikes in Odessa kill at least 8  —  An adviser to Ukraine's president accused Russia of a surge in airstrikes on Mariupol's Azovstal Iron and Steel Works and alleged that invasion forces are preparing to storm the site …

Saudis' Biden snub suggests crown prince still banking on Trump's return  —  Refusal to help US punish Russia and $2bn investment in Kushner fund signal crown prince's displeasure with Trump's successor  —  Saudi Arabia appears to be banking on Donald Trump's return to office by refusing …

Florida Rep. Randy Fine threatened Special Olympics funding over school board member feud, texts show  —  Florida Rep. Randy Fine threatened to interfere with state funding for the Special Olympics and the city of West Melbourne last week over a personal feud with Brevard County School Board …

Exclusive: Local election chief threatened by Republican leader seeking illegal access to voting equipment  —  A local Republican Party leader in North Carolina threatened to get a county elections director fired or have her pay cut unless she helped him gain illegal access to voting equipment, the state elections board told Reuters.

Guns were No. 1 killer of children and adolescents in 2020, CDC data shows  —  There were 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the U.S. in 2020.  —  Firearms surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 killer among children and teens, according to startling new data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday.

Trump heads to Ohio amid backlash against Vance  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  TRUMP TO THE BUCKEYE STATE — Former President DONALD TRUMP will appear at a rally tonight with J.D. VANCE, his endorsee in the Ohio GOP Senate primary making a Hail Mary push to win the nomination.

For Trump's G.O.P., Crossing Lines Has Few Consequences  —  A dizzying week featured Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, caught lying and another lawmaker, Marjorie Taylor Greene, grilled under oath about her role in the Jan. 6 attack.  — Give this article- - - Read in app