| Good morning. It's Wednesday, March 23, and before we get to today's news out of Ukraine, we wanted to highlight The Post's Telegram channel, where we're sharing free updates and exclusive video from the conflict with users around the world. Now let's get caught up. |
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 | There are signs that Ukraine is going on the offensive against Russia. | - What's happening: Troops are trying to retake lost territory, U.S. officials said. Ukraine said it regained control of Makariv, a town near Kyiv.
- Russian forces continued to bombard Mariupol, a strategic port city. About 7,000 people have been evacuated, but 100,000 remain trapped — many without food or water.
- Tomorrow: President Biden will announce new penalties against Russia after meeting with NATO allies.
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 | A large tornado caused "severe devastation" in New Orleans last night. | - The latest: At least one person, a 26-year-old man, was reported dead in the hard-hit Arabi neighborhood in St. Bernard Parish — an area wrecked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- The damage: Some homes have been "completely flattened" and thousands have lost power.
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 | The new omicron variant is spreading in many parts of the U.S. | - What is it: BA.2, a subvariant of omicron that appears to be about 30% more transmissible than the original, has driven a new wave of cases in Western Europe.
- Where is it: The coronavirus variant accounts for 55% of new infections in New England, the CDC says, and 35% of infections nationally — up from 22% a week ago.
- What happens next: There's no consensus. Many variables are at play, including changes in behavior and levels of immunity.
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 | The U.S. doesn't have funds for everyone to get a fourth vaccine dose. | - What's the holdup? A weeks-long stalemate in Congress means there's a $15 billion hole in coronavirus pandemic funding, the Biden administration said.
- Why that's a problem: Regulators are determining whether a fourth shot is needed. Without money to stockpile shots, many could be left at risk, the White House warned.
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 | Biden's Supreme Court nominee defended her record yesterday. | - What happened: Senate Republicans pressed Ketanji Brown Jackson about her work as a federal public defender and district court judge on Day 2 of her confirmation hearings, and tried to link her to critical race theory.
- Jackson's response: Public defenders "have to represent whoever comes in," she said, when asked about working with Guantánamo Bay detainees.
- Up next: Senators get another chance to question Jackson today.
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 | Books are quietly disappearing from school libraries. | - Why? Activists have been targeting books about race, gender and LGBTQ issues. The controversy is trickling into state legislatures and school board meetings.
- Bans are soaring: One group counted 330 incidents of censorship in just three months last fall.
- All of this is having an effect: Officials have started preemptively removing books before activists challenged them.
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 | The world's top women's tennis player announced her retirement at 25. | - Going out on top: Ashleigh Barty has been ranked No. 1 for over two years, and in January won the Australian Open — her third Grand Slam title.
- Why she's leaving: In an emotional video, Barty said it was time to "chase other dreams" after finding she no longer has the "physical drive" to compete.
Tess Homan contributed to today's briefing. You're all caught up. See you tomorrow. But before you go … it's fresh salad season. Here's our guide to the best greens, with tips on how to pick, prep and store them.  (Jordan Robertson for The Post) | Do you know someone who would like this newsletter? Share it with them. Prefer push notifications? Download The Post's app to get one when The 7 publishes. |
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