Big win for the activist left in Texas primary

Biden barks at Putin: "Badly miscalculated."

By Liza Hearon Wednesday, March 2 THE SQUAD MAY BE GETTING A NEW MEMBER In a major win for the activist left, progressive firebrand Greg Casar, an Austin city council member, won the Democratic nomination for Texas' 35th Congressional District with an outright majority, avoiding a runoff. Casar, a former advocate for immigrant day laborers, is expected to become the newest member of the "Squad." Another closely watched Democratic primary congressional race is headed for a runoff, as incumbent Rep. Henry Cuellar and immigration attorney Jessica Cisneros failed to win an outright majority.  And Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will face Democrat Beto O'Rourke in the November general election. [HuffPost]   BIDEN WARNS PUTIN IN STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS In his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden said Russian leader Vladimir Putin underestimated the unity of U.S. society and America's allies. He also used his speech to tout some of the success his administration has had in gathering intelligence. "We prepared extensively and carefully," Biden recounted. "We spent months building a coalition of other freedom-loving nations from Europe and the Americas, to Asia and Africa, to confront Putin."  [HuffPost]   UKRAINE'S PRESIDENT DECRIES ESCALATED ATTACKS AS TERROR CAMPAIGN Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the Russian attack on the central square in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city, "frank, undisguised terror" and a war crime. As Biden gave his State of the Union address, a 40-mile convoy of Russian tanks advanced slowly on Kyiv, with invading forces pressing their assault on other towns and cities. [AP]   DIPLOMATS THROW SHADE AT RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER More than 100 U.S. and European diplomats stood and marched out of the room when Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov began speaking at a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting in the middle of his country's attacks on Ukraine. Lavrov spoke via prerecorded video and blamed Ukraine for the war. [HuffPost] CDC estimates more than 140 million Americans have had COVID. Five new things experts just figured out about COVID. This simple technique can soothe your kid — and you — during a tantrum. Pfizer shots protect kids from severe COVID even with omicron, according to new study. There will be more free COVID tests available next week, Biden vows. Is it better to drink coffee in the morning or afternoon for work? Get the latest coronavirus updates on our dedicated page. DICK DURBIN 'VERY CONCERNED' HOW REPUBLICANS WILL TREAT KETANJI BROWN JACKSON Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he's "very concerned" Republicans will unleash ugly attacks on Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson's character or her identity as a Black woman. Durbin said GOP senators have disrespected previous Black female nominees, one of whom received death threats afterward. [HuffPost]   BOEBERT BOOED FOR OUTBURST DURING BIDEN'S REMARKS ABOUT VETERANS, HIS LATE SON Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) was booed by her colleagues for heckling Biden as he spoke about Afghanistan and Iraq veterans and his late son, Beau Biden, during his State of the Union address. Biden continued without acknowledging Boebert's outburst. [HuffPost]   UKRAINE ACKNOWLEDGES RACIST TREATMENT OF AFRICANS FLEEING RUSSIAN INVASION The Ukrainian government publicly acknowledged that African immigrants seeking to flee violence during the Russian invasion have faced racist, disparate treatment compared to white Ukrainians. Several African governments have condemned the racism Africans have endured as they've sought to leave the war-torn country. [HuffPost]   THESE ARE THE CITIZENS STEPPING UP TO DEFEND UKRAINE Photographer Sasha Maslov captured images of middle-aged Ukrainians filling the reserves of the Ukrainian army to defend their cities. Make some time for this stunning photo story from the front lines. [HuffPost]   HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER DODGES ON MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN WHITE NATIONALIST EVENT House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) wouldn't say whether party members who participated in a white nationalist event over the weekend would face any repercussions. McCarthy called the America First Political Action Conference "appalling" but wouldn't say any more. [HuffPost] The doctor who was told her illness was "all in her head" — and is transforming the treatment of her rare genetic condition. Extremely fun photos show how Mardi Gras is back after a pandemic hiatus. Yellowstone turns 150. Here's a peek into the national park's history. A rocket is going to crash into the Moon — the accidental experiment will shed light on the physics of impacts in space. Train your brain for better sleep with three easy tips. Want to be president of the clean car club? Get on board with these products. Naya Rivera's family settles wrongful death lawsuit nearly two years after her drowning. Here's what I want you to know before you grieve for my disabled body. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene accuses Democrats of plot to "create happiness" for voters. Resurfaced video of Zelenskyy on spoof call about joining E.U. goes viral. Jimmy Kimmel spots most insane moment of Donald Trump Jr.'s bizarre rant. Try these highly effective repairing shampoos and conditioners for bleached hair. Mayor paints blunt message for Putin right outside Russian embassy. MLB cancels baseball opening day as labor dispute continues. "The Daily Show" taunts right-wingers who praised Putin with scathing mock drug ad.  John Bolton reveals how little Trump actually knew about Russia. Chuck Schumer's awkward SOTU moment becomes a meme. Florida student who tracked Elon Musk's private jet is now tracking Russia's elite. Forget perfect family meals: Buttered noodles and cut-up hot dogs are the best. We agree. Most frustrating "Wheel of Fortune" ever will leave you screaming at your screen. See how long you can stay calm while watching this! Does somebody keep forwarding you this newsletter? — Subscribe here!   ©2021 HuffPost BuzzFeed, Inc 111 E 18th St, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost   Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe