Biden’s State of the Union to tout policy wins on economy
President Joe Biden will use his second State of the Union address on Tuesday to remind Americans of how their lives have been improved over his first two years in office, as he tries to navigate the tricky politics of a newly divided Washington. Rather than laying out major new policy proposals, Biden was expected to devote much of his speech to highlighting his efforts over the past two years to create jobs, fight inflation and improve the nation’s infrastructure. The speech comes at a time of pessimism in the country and as Biden seeks to hone his pitch to voters ahead of his expected announcement in the coming months that he will seek reelection in 2024.
Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan martial ruler in 9/11 wars, dies
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup and later led a reluctant Pakistan into aiding the U.S. war in Afghanistan, has died. He was 79 and had been in declining health. The general ruled Pakistan after his 1999 coup through tensions with India, an atomic proliferation scandal and an Islamic extremist insurgency until ultimately stepping down in 2008 while facing a possible impeachment. His later life saw him live in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid criminal charges, despite attempting a political comeback in 2012. The Pakistani Consulate in Dubai confirmed his death and said diplomats were providing support to his family. The military also paid tribute to him.
Ukraine defense minister expects help from West on warplanes
Ukraine’s defense minister is expressing confidence in securing Western allies’ agreement to his country’s latest weapons request, warplanes to fight off Russian forces that invaded nearly a year ago. Oleksii Reznikov told a news conference in Kyiv on Sunday that Ukraine has already received everything from its “wish list to Santa,” except planes. He predicted confidently: “There will be planes, too.” So far, Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain Western fighter jets. But several Western leaders have expressed concern that providing warplanes could provoke the Kremlin and draw their countries deeper into the conflict. German-made tanks are on the way to Ukraine. Reznikov said his forces would begin training on Leopard tanks on Monday.
Pope, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders denounce anti-gay laws
Pope Francis, the head of the Anglican Communion and the top Presbyterian minister have spoken out on LGBTQ rights. They together denounced the criminalization of homosexuality on Sunday and said gay people should be welcomed by their churches. The three Christian leaders spoke out during an unprecedented joint airborne news conference returning home from South Sudan. They were there to take part in a three-day ecumenical pilgrimage to try to nudge the young country’s peace process forward. They were asked about Francis’ recent comments to The Associated Press, in which he declared that laws that criminalize gay people were “unjust” and that “being homosexual is not a crime.”
Turmoil risks financial stability Peru long took for granted
The Peruvian city of Cusco is normally a bustling mecca for international tourists. But its picturesque streets are silent these days as deadly demonstrations keep many foreigners away. The protests have followed interim President Pedro Castillo’s impeachment and arrest in December for trying to close Congress. The violence has resulted in 57 civilian deaths and has revived class and racial divisions. Many Peruvians are wondering whether a long period of uneasy economic stability has run its course.
Powerful quake kills at least 195 people in Turkey, Syria
ANKARA, Turkey — A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit southeast Turkey and Syria, toppling buildings and sending panicked residents pouring outside in a cold winter night. At least 195 people were killed in both countries, hundreds were injured and the toll was expected to rise. Rescue workers and residents frantically searched for survivors under the rubble of crushed buildings in multiple cities on both sides of the border. In one quake-struck Turkish city, dozens pulled away chunks of concrete and twisted metal. People on the street shouted up to others inside a partially toppled apartment building, leaning dangerously.
By wire sources