The U.S. military has a database of roughly 400 reported UFO encounters, an official revealed today at the first public congressional hearing on the subject since 1966, Axios' Jacob Knutson reports.

• Sightings "are frequent and are continuing."
• There have been 11 near misses between unknown objects and U.S. military assets, said Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray.
• U.S. service members have recorded no collisions or direct communications with unidentified aerial phenomena, Bray said.

Between the lines: The Pentagon made a splash last year when it released a report saying it had found no evidence of aliens from the incidents.

• Some videos from the reports were released by the Pentagon in 2020, including recorded footage from infrared cameras mounted on fighter jets.

The Pentagon attributes the frequency of sightings to the increased presence of commercial drones near military sites and better sensor equipment detecting debris in military airspace, Bray said.

• The frequency could also be attributed to the Pentagon recently encouraging service members to report anything abnormal while at sea or in flight.

The bottom line: Investigators haven't found any wreckage material "that isn't consistent with being of terrestrial origin," Bray said.

President Biden used a speech in Buffalo today to blast the so-called "great replacement" immigration theory that animates a screed allegedly authored by the 18-year-old suspect in this weekend's mass shooting.

• "A hate that through the media and politics, the internet, has radicalized angry, alienated, lost and isolated individuals into falsely believing that they will be replaced. That's the word — replaced — by the other," Biden said.
• "I call on all Americans to reject the lie. And I condemn those who spread the lie for power, political gain and for profit."
• "White supremacy is a poison … running through our body politic."

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1. Above: Wrecked Russian armor is displayed for public viewing in Kyiv, where signs of normal life are returning. Curfews are shorter, businesses are reopening and countries are returning their diplomats.
2. The FDA authorized Pfizer boosters for kids ages 5–11. Go deeper.
3. Netflix is laying off 150 staff as it confronts slowing growth, Deadline reported.

42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2021 — up 10.5% from 2020, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.

Taco Bell is bringing back one of its most beloved items this week, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports (on her second day with Axi0s).

• The chain nixed its Mexican Pizza back in 2020 amid menu streamlining in the early months of COVID.
• 170,000+ fans signed a petition begging for the pizza’s return.

What's happening: Thursday is the first day the pizza is officially available at participating restaurants nationwide.

• Taco Bell Rewards members have early access today and tomorrow when ordering on the mobile app.

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