Wednesday morning news: February 22, 2023

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Biden in Poland » President Biden took aim at Vladimir Putin in remarks from Poland on Tuesday.

BIDEN: This war was never a necessity. It's a tragedy. President Putin chose this war. Every day the war continues is his choice.

Biden is wrapping up two days of meetings with NATO leaders in Warsaw today.

He warned of “hard and bitter days ahead" as Russia's invasion of Ukraine nears the one-year mark. But he vowed that no matter what, the United States and allies “will not waver” in supporting Ukraine.

His remarks in Poland came one day after a surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital.

BIDEN: One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I just came from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report: Kyiv stands strong.

Putin speech / nuclear announcement, NATO react » Vladimir Putin delivered a speech of his own on Tuesday in which he announced he was suspending the last remaining arms control treaty with the United States.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg weighed in:

STOLTENBERG: Over the last years, Russia has violated and walked away from key arms control agreements. With today’s decision on New START, the whole arms control architecture has been dismantled

The so-called New Start treaty has been on life support for some time. It limited the number of nuclear weapons the U.S. and Russia could have.

Putin also once again tried to pin the blame for the war in Ukraine on Western nations. He claimed Washington and its allies were seeking—quote— “unlimited power,” forcing him to act.

Treasury deputy: Russia sanctions are degrading its military » U.S. sanctions against Russia are reportedly contributing to losses on the battlefield. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: The Treasury Department says that Russia has lost up to half of its tanks and it is struggling to replace them due to sanctions. The same is true for other machinery damaged in the war.

More than 30 countries have put price caps on Russian oil, enacted export controls for Russian goods, and cracked down on the Russian Central Bank.

The U.S. plans to announce new sanctions this week, targeting the Kremlin’s war machine.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

EPA takes charge of Ohio cleanup / Buttigieg remarks » The EPA says railroad giant Norfolk Southern will have to foot the bill for the recovery efforts in eastern Ohio where a train hauling toxic cargo derailed earlier this month.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan:

REGAN: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess that they created and the trauma that they inflicted on this community.

He said that will include reimbursing the government for the cleanup it’s already done.

In the wake of the crash, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is calling for tighter regulations for transporting hazardous materials.

Supreme Court Section 230 » STEWART: Mr. Chief Justice and may it please the court…

The Supreme Court today is weighing a case that could turn the social media industry upside down.

The justices are scheduled to hear the second of two cases challenging a legal provision known as Section 230. It shields the companies like Google, Facebook, and Twitter from being held liable for content that users create.

On Tuesday, the court seemed skeptical about lifting those protections.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

KAVANAUGH: To pull back now from the would create a lot of economic dislocation, would really crash the digital economy with all sorts of effects on workers and consumers, retirement plans what have you.

Critics say Section 230 allows social media companies to avoid responsibility while supporters argue it protects free speech.

Midwest blizzard » A winter storm is moving across the northern U.S. today, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures.

At least 22 states are under weather alerts as the storm travels east through Friday.

University of Wisconsin Meteorology Professor Jonathan Martin.

MARTIN: If you're in northern parts of the state of Wisconsin, Michigan, into northern New England, probably pretty heavy snow.

And he says those in the Minneapolis area could see record setting snow.

SBC Ousts Saddleback » The Southern Baptist Convention is separating itself from a well-known California megachurch.

WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more:

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: Rick Warren, the bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life, founded Saddleback Church more than forty years ago.

It grew into the largest church in the state, with over a dozen campuses.

Last summer, he stepped down as pastor and a husband-wife team has taken his place.

The Southern Baptist Convention says having a woman in the role of pastor is not scriptural and does not closely align with the group’s stated doctrine.

Saddleback may appeal the decision at the next annual Southern Baptist meeting in June.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

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

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