International Call: “Unlike the West, Beijing has sought to appear neutral on the Russian invasion. But it has never hidden its close ties to Moscow, or condemned the invasion, and last month President Xi paid a two-day state visit to Russia.” Ukraine’s Zelensky holds first war phone call with China’s Xi. Zelensky described the call as “long and meaningful.”

+ Kabul Bomber Killed: “A ground assault by the Taliban killed the Islamic State militant who spearheaded the August 2021 suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that left 13 U.S. troops and about 170 Afghans dead during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

+ It’s a Brawl World, After All: “Disney is suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, alleging his administration waged a ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation’ against the company’s “protected speech.” In the lawsuit, Disney claims DeSantis ‘threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.'” (Even Goofy thinks DeSantis is a mickey mouse leader.)

+ Shell Shock: It’s been overshadowed by the Tucsession drama, but the fall of the head of NBC Universal is big news in media. Shell Shocked: How a Sex Scandal, Big Egos and Putin Led to Jeff Shell’s Sudden, No Payout Exit From NBCU.

+ Blizzard Warning: “British regulators on Wednesday blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard, thwarting the biggest tech deal in history over worries that it would stifle competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market.”

+ BFF: When Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon got fired, they both called the same lawyer. Meet Bryan Freedman, the Hollywood heavyweight who could secure them mega-million payouts.

+ Off Label: “Of 25 gummy products analyzed, 22 (88%) were inaccurately labeled, with only three products containing an amount of melatonin within 10% of the quantity declared on the label.” Melatonin gummies may not contain what they claim.