Federal Judge Finds Trump Most Likely Committed Crimes Over 2020 Election  —  “The illegality of the plan was obvious,” the judge wrote in a civil case, referring to the former president's efforts to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to upend the certification of the Electoral College results.

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 …

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.

‘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 …

Fox Nation's Lara Logan Suggests Theory of Evolution Is a Hoax Funded by Jews  —  Lara Logan's latest anti-Semitic dog whistle is a claim that Charles Darwin only came up with the idea of evolution because Jews paid him to  —  It wasn't long ago that Lara Logan was a correspondent for CBS News …

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:

Biden used cheat sheet while doubling down on unscripted message to oust Putin  —  President Joe Biden once again referred to a printed cheat sheet sheet as he doubled down on his unscripted weekend claim that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.”  —  On Monday Biden, 79, told reporters he made …

How Did a Phone Call From Walmart Turn Into Texas' Next Big Political Scandal?  —  His team suspects his primary rival of foul play — and is accusing his rival's allies in law enforcement of a massive cover-up  —  MCKINNEY, Texas — As it so often goes in American life, the trouble began when someone wanted to speak to the manager.

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.

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.

Democrats Have Become Too Reliant on Corporations to Push Progressive Values  —  The road to governing Florida does not run through The Walt Disney Company  —  Who do liberals have the power to convince these days, and who do they focus on convincing?  —  I ask this question because it's strange …

U.S. training Ukrainian troops in Poland, Biden seems to reveal  —  President Joe Biden appeared to reveal that the U.S. is training Ukrainian forces in Poland — stating for the first time since the war began that American troops are actively teaching Ukrainians to fight and kill Russians.

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. …

“Designed to End Protesting”: Louisiana Supreme Court Makes Protesters Guilty by Association  —  The state joins others in broadening liability and heightening the legal risks of protesting.  —  The Louisiana Supreme Court on Royal Street in the French Quarter in New Orleans.  (Wikimedia Commons)

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.

EXCLUSIVE Iran struck Iraq target over gas talks involving Israel - officials  —  A nascent plan for Iraq's Kurdistan region to supply gas to Turkey and Europe - with Israeli help - is part of what angered Iran into striking the Kurdish capital Erbil with ballistic missiles this month, Iraqi and Turkish officials say.

Vice President Kamala Harris, in her toughest hour, is keeping a tighter circle  —  Vice President Kamala Harris was marinating in a fresh stew of commentary about her public polling that showed her home state approval numbers were almost as dismal as her national ones.

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 …

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 …

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

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 Trumps Did Business With an Oligarch Linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard.  They'd Like You to Forget.  —  Fight disinformation.  Get a daily recap of the facts that matter.  Sign up for the free Mother Jones newsletter.  —  As part of the ongoing negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal …