Tuesday morning news: February 14, 2023

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Balloons/objects latest » Congress is demanding answers from President Biden about what, exactly, is going on in the skies over North America. Congressman Mike Turner:

TURNER: Just now as this Chinese spy balloon completed its mission, and the administration being subject to criticism, have they turned to the issue of what is actually coming into our skies.

U.S. air defense is on high alert, after a fighter jet shot down a flying object above Lake Huron on Sunday.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: We acted out of an abundance of caution to protect the security, our security, our interests and flight safety.

More U.S. war planes shot down two other flying objects over Canada and Alaska last week–after the U.S. took out a Chinese spy balloon that floated over the country.

Meanwhile, China claims that the United States floated its own spy balloons through Chinese airspace.

A spokesman for the communist government claims more than 10 U.S. high-altitude balloons flew over China over the past year. The U.S. government says that never happened.

Bakhmut / Stoltenberg on war strain » In Ukraine …

AUDIO: [Battle]

At least five civilians were killed Monday as fighting rages in and around the eastern city of Bakhmut.

NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg says Russia’s expected “spring offensive” has already started.

He said Western support gives Ukraine the edge in technology and logistics. But the Kremlin has little regard for life and just keeps throwing bodies at the problem.

STOLTENBERG: The Russians are willing to ascend in those forces, and take a high, high number of casualties. This just highlights the importance of timing. It's urgent to provide Ukraine with more weapons.

Ukrainian soldiers have begun training on Leopard 2 tanks, which Germany and other Western allies are providing.

But Stoltenberg warned that the West has to ramp up the production of ammunition.

STOLTENBERG: The current rate of Ukraine’s ammunition expenditure is many times higher than our current rate of production.

He said that’s putting a strain on Western defense industries.

Moldova - Russia » Leaders in Moldova fear Russia is plotting to overthrow their government to prevent it from aiding Ukraine or joining the European Union.

SANDU: [Romanian]

President Maia Sandu is pleading with her parliament to pass laws that will strengthen her country’s security.

SANDU: [Romanian]

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country intercepted Russian plans to destroy Moldova, which is a candidate to join the EU.

Earthquake update » AUDIO: [Rescuers talking while trying to rescue victim]

Rescuers are still pulling survivors from the twisted and shattered remains of buildings in Syria and Turkey.

The death toll in last week’s earthquakes has now topped 36,000 people.

Syria says it is opening two more border crossings with Turkey to bring in aid.

Up till now, aid groups could only bring supplies through one checkpoint on the Syria-Turkey border. The two new checkpoints will be open for three months.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price.

PRICE: United States continues to support search, rescue, recovery and relief efforts and to mobilize additional equipment and resources

Experts say time is running out for survivors still trapped under the rubble.

GA grand jury » A Georgia judge this week will unseal some of the findings of a grand jury investigation into former President Donald Trump. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: The grand jury was tasked with determining whether Trump and others illegally interfered in the 2020 election in Georgia.

The judge has agreed to unseal the grand jury’s report on Thursday, but it will be heavily redacted.

The report’s introduction and conclusion will not be blacked out. The document will also reveal the grand jury’s concerns that some unidentified witnesses may have lied under oath.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

NYC Sidewalk Crash » In Brooklyn, New York, eight people were injured Monday when a man driving a U-Haul box truck veered onto sidewalks..

Two victims were in critical condition on Monday and another two sustained serious injuries.

The 62-year-old driver led police on a miles-long chase before officers caught him, pulled him from the truck and cuffed him.

New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said the motive is still unknown.

SEWELL: We have no indication that there is any terrorism involvement in this incident.

Officials searched the vehicle for explosives but did not find any.

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

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