News Roundup: Barriers Erected around Capitol ahead of Washington Trucker Protest

BY JACK CROWE

February 28, 2022

Good morning and welcome to the News Editor's Roundup, a weekly newsletter that will ensure you're up to date on the developments in politics, business, and culture that will shape the week's news cycle — as well as those that might escape mainstream attention.

Barriers Erected around Capitol ahead of Washington Trucker Protest

The Capitol police have brought back the barricades they erected in the wake of the January 6 riot as federal authorities expect a trucker convoy to converge on Washington, D.C., in protest of Covid-19 restrictions.

Police in the area are taking preemptive measures to prevent any disturbances amid President Joe Biden's State of the Union speech Tuesday as well as "disruption to the important work of Congress," U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said.

Peace Talks Under Way in Belarus as Russian Advance Continues

Peace negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials commenced early Monday morning on the Ukraine-Belarus border as the Russian military continues its offensive.

Ukraine said its objective for the talks, which it agreed to "without preconditions," are an "immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops," the office of President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Sunday. Ukraine's delegation includes Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and several high-ranking officials but not Zelensky.

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said Russia wants to come to an agreement that serves both parties.

Trump Wins CPAC Straw Poll, DeSantis Takes Second

Donald Trump won the Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll on Sunday, with 59 percent of respondents saying they would vote for the former president in the 2024 presidential primary.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis was runner-up with 28 percent of the vote, according to the poll conducted at CPAC by secret ballot. Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo trailed with 2 percent.

Ninety-seven percent of CPAC attendees said they approve of Trump, with 83 percent saying they strongly approve.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Draws Outrage from Kremlin-Sympathetic European Leaders

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered the outrage of Kremlin-sympathetic politicians leading the former Soviet satellite states Hungary and the Czech Republic, whose own experiences of occupation under Russian communism are embedded in national memory.

While Czech president Milos Zeman and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban have sympathized more with Russia politically than other European countries, they unequivocally denounced the attack on Ukraine, AP reported.

Ukrainians Take Up Arms against Russian Forces in Fight for Kyiv: 'Our Weapons Are Our Truth'

After a brutal night of Russian air bombardment, Ukrainians defended the capital city of Kyiv from attack, although with mounting civilian casualties. Meanwhile, neighboring countries have welcomed refugees and Western allies have committed to immediately send additional weaponry and humanitarian support.

During an early press briefing Saturday morning, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed: "We survived [the night]. And we are successfully fighting off the enemy attacks."

The Ukrainian military has been putting up strong defenses despite the ongoing assaults. Moscow is reportedly aggravated by its inability to make fast territorial advancements due to a fierce, defiant Ukrainian resistance, which came as a surprise to Russia's forces, a senior defense official told Fox News.

Tulsi Gabbard Slams Fellow Dems for Promoting Freedom Abroad While Undermining It at Home: 'Hypocrites'

Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Fla., Friday evening, former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard accused the modern progressive movement of hypocrisy for punishing dissent at home while standing up for democracy abroad.

Making an unexpected appearance that ruffled feathers on both sides of the aisle, Gabbard noted the increasingly authoritarian trajectory of the modern Left.

"They're hypocrites. They proclaim that we must go to war to spread democracy and freedom while they actively work to undermine our democratic republic and our freedoms right here at home," she said.

Parent Coalition Wins Asian-Discrimination Lawsuit against Fairfax County Public Schools

After an onerous legal battle, a grassroots parents' group has won its lawsuit against Fairfax County Public Schools challenging the Virginia district's equity admissions policy over its alleged racial discrimination against Asian-American students at one of the most competitive, elite high schools in the country.

A federal judge ruled Friday that Fairfax County school officials violated the law by changing its admissions requirements at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology to limit the number of Asian-American students enrolled.