Tulips sealed

Officials say Russia has been pressuring Belarus to launch nonconventional operations against NATO members. / The Wall Street Journal [$]

Thanks to Ukraine’s attacks on energy infrastructure, regions across Russia impose restrictions on gas and diesel sales, and Crimea declares a state of emergency. / Radio Free Europe, Kyiv Post

Unrelated: Watches worn by people on both sides of Russia’s war. / YouTube

Both Lebanon and Israel say the United States is lying about any Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. / Reuters

With Hezbollah represented by Iran and Israel represented by the US, “the Lebanese state seems missing from the equation.” / Arab News

Meanwhile, Andrew Callaghan from Channel 5 gets detained in Palestine “by two teenagers from New Jersey.” / YouTube

See also: How to secure your phone’s data before traveling abroad. / The New York Times [$]

The US military resumes requiring flu shots after an outbreak flares at an Air Force base. / Ars Technica

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Palantir hires a slate of former Democratic lawmakers as lobbyists. / Sludge

Andrew Cockburn visits Michigan, where it seems Democrats don’t oppose data centers because of campaign donations. / Harper’s

The Golden State Warriors unveil the most valuable jersey patch sponsorship in North American sports, a $50 million deal with an AI cloud provider. / Sportico

Meanwhile, the billionaire owner of the Portland Trail Blazers says he shouldn’t pay for stadium renovations because he pays taxes. / Field of Schemes

FIFA says fans can bring rainbow flags to today’s match between Iran and Egypt. / ESPN

The story behind a family of vegan restaurateurs in California who move to Texas and start ranching cattle. / Alta

See also: Everything you need to know about raw milk, dairy influencers, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s favorite drink. / ProPublica

“A feeling of collective effervescence” is credited for why young people are going to movie theaters. / The Washington Post [$]

Are Brutalist buildings still Brutalist when they’re covered in plants? Also, can you efficiently mow a small digital lawn? / Fashionably Late Takes, The Pudding

Photographs of a contemporary wagon drive from Nevada to California. / Stocktonia

“There’s a right way and a wrong way to speak it. You can’t just do any old thing.” Interviews with people who continue to speak Pennsylvania Dutch. / The Dial