Tuesday morning news - February 1, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Russia, US exchange harsh words over Ukraine at UN » U.S. and Russian officials clashed in a war of words in a meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged world leaders to speak out against Russia’s troop buildup along Ukraine’s border.

GREENFIELD: It threatens the international order this body is charged with upholding, an order that, if it stands for anything, stands for the principle that one country cannot simply redraw another country’s borders by force…

Russian diplomats, meanwhile, accused the West of “whipping up tensions” over Ukraine and said the United States had brought—quoting here—“pure Nazis” to power in Ukraine.

But Ukrainian diplomat Sergiy Kyslytsya said what’s whipping up tensions is Russia’s massive six-figure troop buildup along its border.

KYSLYTSYA: About 112,000 Russian troops have been amassed around Ukraine’s borders and in Crimea. And together with their maritime and aviation components, their number reaches about 130,000.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Moscow is “attempting, without any factual basis, to paint Ukraine and Western countries as the aggressors to fabricate a pretext for attack.”

Russia lost an attempt to block the meeting. A vote on holding an open meeting passed 10-2, with Russia and China opposed. But the United State never expected a statement or resolution by the Security Council, given Russia’s veto power.

Biden meets Qatar leader as Europe energy crisis looms » The West has vowed tough sanctions against Russia if it invades. But an economic clash with Moscow could be a problem for Europe, which leans heavily on natural gas from Russia.

With that in mind, President Biden hosted the ruling leader of the gas-rich nation of Qatar at the White House on Monday.

BIDEN: Qatar is a good friend and reliable and capable partner. And I am notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship.

Qatar is home to the biggest American air base in the Middle East. The country also served as go-between in U.S. talks with the Taliban. And the country has taken in thousands of Afghan refugees that the United States evacuated from Kabul last year.

Qatar could play a key role, at least temporarily, in stabilizing Europe’s energy supply if necessary.

It is the world's second-biggest exporter of liquified natural gas, and Qatari officials say they’re very happy to help. But they also cautioned—quote—“It is going to be very hard to do because there isn’t excess supply.”

Qatar is already producing at full capacity with much of its supply under contract to Asia.

U.S. gives full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine » The FDA on Monday granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as the omicron wave continues to slow. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: Tens of millions of Americans have already received the Moderna vaccine under an emergency authorization. But it now joins Pfizer as the only two COVID-19 vaccines granted full approval.

The FDA reviewed months of additional follow-up data to confirm the shot’s effectiveness and safety. The vaccine includes a warning about a very rare type of heart inflammation that mostly occurs in young men following the second dose. Most cases are mild and resolve quickly.

The approval comes as the omicron wave appears to be losing steam in the United States.

New cases have dropped below 500,000 per day after peaking last month at nearly 900,000. Hospitalizations are also down, and COVID-related deaths are expected to follow suit in the days ahead.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Spotify taking steps to “combat misinformation” about COVID-19 after protests » Spotify says it’s taking new steps to—quote—“combat misinformation” about COVID-19.

The move follows protests over interviews on its popular “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, which has an estimated 11 million listeners.

Rogan recently interviewed doctors and scientists who are critical of vaccines and some of the government’s advice regarding the pandemic.

He defended the interviews, saying the guests in question, while controversial, are highly accomplished and credible. And he pushed back against labeling the interviews as “dangerous misinformation.” He argued some assertions that were widely dismissed as “disinformation” months ago are now accepted as credible.

ROGAN: If you said, I think it’s possible that COVID-19 came from a lab, you’d be banned from many social media platforms. Now, that’s on the cover of Newsweek.

Rogan noted that he has also interviewed mainstream experts, but he said he’ll work to achieve more balance.

He also voiced support for Spotify’s plan to begin labeling COVID-19 content with advisories, encouraging people to visit mainstream sources for information.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek also pledged more transparent platform rules. He said it’s important to not “take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.”

British prime minister apologizes in wake of ‘partygate’ report » U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday apologized for the so-called “partygate” scandal.

That after an inquiry found that Downing Street parties while Britain was in lockdown represented a “serious failure” of leadership.

The prime minister addressed the report on the floor of the House of Commons…

JOHNSON: I will address its findings in this statement, but firstly I want to say sorry. And I’m sorry for the things we simply didn't get right, and also sorry for the way that this matter has been handled.

The report found “failures of leadership and judgment” allowed events to occur that “should not have been allowed to take place.”

The events under police investigation include a June 2020 birthday party for Johnson at the prime minister’s Downing Street residence.

Police requested the inquiry and have launched a criminal investigation into the biggest alleged breaches of coronavirus rules.

But while Johnson expressed regret, he brushed off calls to quit.

JOHNSON: I know what the issue is. Yes, Mr. Speaker, yes, yes. It’s whether this government can be trusted to deliver, and I say, Mr. Speaker, yes we can be trusted.

The prime minister vowed to reform the way his office is run, telling lawmakers, “I get it, and I will fix it.”

I'm Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng. org. 

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