What’s in the $858 billion defense bill?

Plus, Russia strikes cities across Ukraine.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Congress authorizes a bipartisan $858 billion defense bill; a barrage of Russian missiles strike cities across Ukraine.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. Help us reach our goal   We're aiming to add 3,000 new people to our community of supporters who help keep Vox free. Reader gifts help us keep our work free for all. Show your support of our unique explanatory journalism with a one-time gift Vox. I'll give TOP NEWS Lawmakers authorize billions for national defense AFP via Getty Images Thursday, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that would increase pay for service members, boost aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, and repeal the military's Covid-19 vaccine mandate. [CNN / Tami Luhby] The Senate voted 83-11 to pass the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act after the House approved the measure last week. [Wall Street Journal / Katy Stech Ferek and Natalie Andrews] The defense bill allocates $45 billion more than the Biden administration requested — it's a 10 percent increase from last year that will mainly go to the Pentagon. [Roll Call / John M. Donnelly] It will also end the Pentagon's vaccine mandate within 30 days, something Democrats opposed. The annual must-pass bill, which keeps the military funded, now heads to President Joe Biden. [Politico / Connor O'Brien] Though the military is funded for the next year, the rest of the government isn't yet. Congress will attempt to pass a final spending package next week. [Washington Post / Karoun Demirjian] Russian missile strikes rock Ukraine Russia on Friday launched dozens of missiles that wiped out power in cities across Ukraine. [Associated Press / Hanna Arhirova, Vasilisa Stepanenko, and Jamey Keaten] Moscow fired about 40 missiles at the capital city of Kyiv in one of the most significant assaults since the war began in February. Officials say Ukraine's defenses shot most of them down. [BBC / Hugo Bachega & Paul Kirby] The barrage came a day after Russia warned of consequences following the US announcement that it would send Patriot missiles to Ukraine. [The Hill / Zach Schonfeld] Since October, Russia has launched weekly attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Kyiv says the Kremlin is gearing up for a new offensive next year. [Reuters / Tom Balmforth and Olena Harmash] MISCELLANEOUS Twitter has suspended several prominent journalists from the platform who have reported about Elon Musk's takeover. [Vox / Shirin Ghaffary] A giant aquarium carrying 1,500 fish exploded Friday in Berlin, flooding streets with a million liters of water. [BBC / Michael Sheils McNamee, Jenny Hill, and Michael Steininger] Over a third of US executions were mishandled in 2022, leading researchers to dub it the "year of the botched execution." [New York Times / Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs] House Democrats have introduced legislation that would bar Donald Trump from holding federal office in the future under the 14th Amendment. [CBS News / Kathryn Watson] CROSSWORD OF THE DAY What's a four-letter word for the ice-melting process? Solve today's new Vox crossword puzzle, and stay tuned for more puzzles coming out Monday through Saturday. Help us reach our goal   We're aiming to add 3,000 financial gifts from readers by Dec 31. Give today to help keep Vox free. Yes, I'll help keep Vox free VERBATIM "They want to destroy us and make us slaves. But we will not surrender. We will endure." [Lidiya Vasilieva, a Ukrainian civilian, on the latest Russian missile strikes / Reuters] LISTEN TO THIS The church of celebrity Guest host Alissa Wilkinson talks with Katelyn Beaty, author of the new book Celebrities for Jesus, about how the dynamics of fame, influence, and new media are changing our experience of religious faith.    Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox This DC party invite shows all the money to be made off the Ukraine war 5 experts share how to make day care less germy Avatar: The Way of Water reminds us that blockbusters don't have to look absolutely terrible Ron DeSantis's vaccine "investigation" is all about beating Trump Manchin's permitting reform effort is dead. Biden's climate agenda could be a casualty. This email was sent to punjabsvera@gmail.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.