Tuesday morning news - February 22, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

U.S. to impose new sanctions amid Ukraine crisis » President Biden is ordering new sanctions after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that regions in eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian separatists are no longer part of Ukraine.

PUTIN: [Speaking in Russian]

Putin on Monday announced what he called his “overdue” decision to—quote—“immediately recognize the independence … of Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic."

The European Union also says it will impose sanctions against those involved in Russia’s recognition of those separatist regions.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the U.K. is preparing sanctions as well.

JOHNSON: This is plainly in breach of international law. It’s a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine.

The White House says the new U.S. sanctions will prohibit new investment, trade, and financing in the two separatist regions that Moscow recognized.

Putin’s declaration further drives fears that Russia could imminently invade Ukraine.

COVID-19 cases continue to plummet » Boris Johnson also announced on Monday that he is scrapping the last of England’s COVID-19 restrictions.

He said, “We now have sufficient levels of immunity to complete the transition from protecting people with government interventions to relying on vaccines and treatments as our first line of defense.”

JOHNSON: Until the first of April, we will still advise people who test positive to stay at home. But after that, we will encourage people with COVID-19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility, just as we encourage people who may have flu to be considerate of others.

Meantime, in the United States, new COVID cases continue to plummet as the omicron wave falls just as sharply as it surged.

A rolling 3-day average has new cases at just over 60,000 per day. That’s down from more than 800,000 just over one month ago.

Hospitalizations and deaths are also falling sharply.

Gas prices rising with no end in sight » While COVID cases are falling, gas prices are heading in the opposite direction.

The price at the pump is the highest it’s been in eight years.

Patrick De Haan with Gasbuddy.com says in just one month’s time, the national per gallon average has jumped 21 cents.

DE HAAN: It now stands at $3.52 a gallon. That’s a new high-water mark, the highest Americans have paid since 2014.

And the current price for regular unleaded is almost 90 cents higher than one year ago.

If you’re looking for prices to drop, you may be in for a long wait. De Haan says the nation will soon transition to more expensive summer gasoline.

DE HAAN: In addition, gasoline demand is starting to rise, not only in the U.S. but globally, as COVID cases come down and Americans hit the road ahead of spring break.

And on top of that, he says refineries are heading into their maintenance season. That could reduce supply and further raise costs.

Canada extends emergency powers after protests » Lawmakers in Canada voted last night to let the government keep its emergency powers for now despite police breaking up the protest in the capital city of Ottawa.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Monday.

TRUDEAU: Even though things seem to be resolving very well in Ottawa, this state of emergency is not over. There continues to be real concerns about the coming days.

Trudeau said some truckers just outside the city may be planning further blockades.

Canada’s Emergencies Act allows authorities to declare certain areas as no go zones. It also allows police to freeze truckers’ personal and corporate bank accounts and compels tow truck companies to tow away vehicles.

Police said the government has frozen the accounts of—quote—“influencers in the illegal protest in Ottawa, and owners and/or drivers of vehicles who did not want to leave the area.”

Meantime, some protesters say police used excessive force in some cases to break up protests over the weekend.

AUDIO: Police officers were extremely rough in certain measures, in certain cases.

The government is investigating at least two cases of possible excessive force.

SpaceX rocket launches with broadband satellites » A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Monday.

SOUND: 3, 2, 1, engines full power, lift off, Starling 4-8

The rocket is carrying nearly 50 Starlink broadband satellites. It’s part of Elon Musk’s vision to bring high-speed internet to all corners of the Earth.

Two weeks ago, a geomagnetic storm knocked up to 40 Starlink satellites out of orbit.

But Starlink now has more than 1,500 satellites operational in low Earth orbit.

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

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