Wednesday morning news - March 2, 2022

For World Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Biden delivers first State of the Union address » SOUND: Madam Speaker, the president of the United States! (cheers)

President Biden delivered his first State of the Union address last night at the Capitol as inflation bears down at home and the invasion of Ukraine looms large overseas.

The president had plenty to say about Russia and Ukraine, including this announcement:

BIDEN: That we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia …

The move follows similar action by Canada and the European Union.

The president touted the sanctions regime that the United States and its allies have imposed on Russia. And he called on the world to stand up to Vladimir Putin. He said history has shown that “when dictators do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving.”

One of the loudest rounds of applause of the entire evening went to an honored guest for the address, Oksana Markarova.

BIDEN: The Ukrainian ambassador to the US is here with us tonight, sitting with the first lady. Let each of us, if you’re able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world. (cheers)

Even before the Russian invasion sent energy costs skyrocketing, prices for American families were already soaring.

Biden called for capping the prices of some prescription drugs like insulin. And he said his plan to slow inflation includes reinvesting in American manufacturing capacity.

BIDEN: Instead of relying on foreign supply chains, let’s make it in America!

One notable difference for this year’s State of the Union address: Many of those in attendance were not wearing masks. The CDC changed its guidance on indoor mask-wearing just last week.

Biden trumpeted progress in beating back COVID-19 and vowed to keep up the fight.

He also denounced pro-life laws at the state level and called on Congress to pass more gun control measures as well as a massive overhaul of voting laws.

The president’s first State of the Union address came at a difficult time for him politically. An average of recent polls has Biden’s job approval hovering around 40 percent.

Iowa governor delivers GOP’s State of the Union response » Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered the Republican response. She agreed that Americans and the free world must stand united against Russia’s aggression. But she criticized President’s Biden’s earlier decisions, such as waiving sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline between Europe and Russia last year.

REYNOLDS: We shouldn’t ignore what happened in the runup to Putin’s invasion — waiving sanctions on Russian pipelines while eliminating oil production here at home.

On the economy, Reynolds charged that the big spending policies of President Biden and Democrats have largely driven soaring inflation.

President Biden in his address said America must pass immigration reform and secure the border. But Reynolds countered that his administration’s policies have done the opposite.

REYNOLDS: The Biden administration has refused to secure our border. They’ve refused to provide the resources to stop human trafficking, to stop the staggering influx of deadly drugs coming into our neighborhoods.

Reynolds also said Republicans believe parents deserve more control over their kids’ education and over decisions like whether their kids must wear masks.

Russia steps up attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine » Meantime in Ukraine on Tuesday, Russian forces escalated their attacks on crowded civilian areas, launching cruise missiles at the central square in Ukraine’s second-biggest city, Khariv. The attack killed at least 10 people.

ZELENSKY (in Ukrainian)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack on the square “frank, undisguised terror” and a war crime. He said “This is state terrorism of the Russian Federation.”

An attack also took out the main TV tower in the capital of Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities said five people died in that attack. Another missile reportedly hit a maternity clinic near Kyiv.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told members of the UN General Assembly Tuesday that Russia’s actions make it necessary to take a side and make clear where they stand.

BAERBOCK: We have decided to support Ukraine also militarily, to defend itself against the aggressor in line with Article 51 of our charter.

At the same time, a 40-mile convoy of hundreds of Russian tanks and other vehicles advanced slowly on Kyiv.

Many military experts worry that Russia may be shifting tactics. Moscow’s strategy in Chechnya and Syria was to use artillery and air bombardments to pulverize cities and crush fighters’ resolve.

The invading forces also pressed their assault on other towns and cities, including the strategic ports of Odesa and Mariupol in the south

Taliban blocks evacuations, some travel » The Taliban announced this week that it will no longer allow Afghans to leave the country without valid paperwork and an approved reason for leaving. WORLD’s Anna Johansen Brown reports.

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN, REPORTER: At a news conference, a Taliban spokesman claimed the new restrictions are designed to better protect Afghans.

Zabiullah Mujahid said leaders received reports that Afghan refugees suffer poor conditions in countries like Qatar and Turkey while waiting for immigration paperwork. He said for that reason, citizens will need government approval to leave the country. But the Taliban also invoked religious law to prevent women from traveling without a male chaperone.

Some worry that with global focus centered on the invasion of Ukraine, the Taliban is taking advantage of the moment to crack down on women, ethnic groups, and anyone with American ties.

A ministry official signed a letter directing police at airports and border crossings to detain anyone with connections to the United States or NATO.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

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

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