WASHINGTON. President Biden arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday to deliver an address to Congress that was supposed to mark a return to normalcy, with pandemic restrictions easing as coronavirus cases decline and memories of the January 6 riots fading for more than a moment. season.

But even as the Capitol returned to its old habits, there were hints of the emergency problems that have plagued Mr. Biden’s presidency and the country, with lawmakers sitting far apart and some absent after testing positive for the coronavirus, a security fence and National Guard patrols. which were a reminder of the specter of political violence, and participants dressed in blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine as Russian bombs fell on the country as they gathered.

“They all seem to have their own unique set of circumstances — and this one certainly has — and are often defined by things you don’t think will be defined,” Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said of the state. Union addresses. “In this case, Ukraine.”

Hours before escorting Mr. Biden to the floor, Rep. Victoria Spartz, an Indiana Republican and Ukrainian-American, delivered a tearful and at times angry speech condemning what she called “genocide” in her country of birth and slamming Mr. Biden for his response.

“This is not a war. This is the genocide of the Ukrainian people,” Ms. Spartz said with tears in her eyes. “They bomb civilians non-stop day and night.”

Like many legislators on Capitol Hill, she was dressed in the colors of her native flag. Women wore matching jackets and dresses, while others wore intricate yellow and blue brooches and flag badges. Some men wore patterned ties or tucked yellow and blue pocket squares into their jackets. At least one MP painted the Ukrainian flag on his white surgical mask.

In the weeks leading up to Mr. Biden’s speech, Democratic women in the House of Representatives debated wearing bright colors “symbolizing hope and abundance,” as Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Texas Democrat, put it. But when Russian troops began to invade Ukraine, they favored yellow and blue, she said, as a colleague handed her a yellow sweater to set off her blue dress.

Updated

March 1, 2022 7:57 pm ET

During Mr. Biden’s 2021 speech together, Ms. Escobar turned down a ticket to board the House Gallery, the emotions and trauma of hiding from the crowd in the same seat were still all too fresh at the time. moment. Less than a year later, she said, “It seems like we’ve turned a corner in a lot of ways.”

Days before the speech, Dr. Brian P. Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician, said masks would no longer be required in the House of Representatives, making them optional regardless of vaccination status for the first time in more than a year. Instead, lawmakers, staff aides and reporters had to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test before they were allowed into the cell.

The five Democrats subsequently announced they would miss the speech due to positive test results, expressing regret and promising to watch remotely. Since the legislators were at a distance across the visitors’ gallery overlooking the floor of the House of Representatives, their guests were present virtually and not in Washington. (Several guests were seated in a box reserved for Jill Biden, the first lady.)

Instead of the usual flash of cameras and lights in the majestic Sculpture Hall located just off the floor of the House, the cameras were positioned further down the complex, in office buildings and overlooking the empty hall, where reporters, legislators and employees struggled to collect their documents. Tickets. And seats have been carefully distributed across the hall, hampering the small body of lawmakers who typically spend hours staking out aisle seats for a TV chance to shake hands with the president.

As columns of trucker protesters headed toward Washington, the black fence once again surrounded the compound and the Capitol, a building still closed to the general public more than a year after a mob attack by supporters of former President Donald Trump. National Guard troops were sent to the area, with officials taking up strategic military vehicle positions and blocking off neighboring streets.

But even with the restrictions, some lawmakers said the speech gave them an insight into Washington traditions they didn’t get to experience during the first year of this Congress, especially freshman lawmakers.

“It’s very different this year — it’s still pretty surreal that I’m in the room,” said Rep. Corey Bush, Democrat of Missouri. She wore a red shirt printed in white with the number 18,000, an estimate of the number of pardons pending and a reference to her drive to get Mr. Biden to start accommodating such requests.

“We have to think and bring forward the problems of our communities, and carry it with us into rooms like this,” Ms. Bush said.

Luke Broadwater contributed reporting.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced that Windy City will temporarily suspend its program for a twin city with Moscow to show support for Ukrainians.

Lightfoot, 59, said Tuesday she had asked World Business Chicago, an economic development agency, to “cut off Chicago’s ties with Moscow” in light of Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine last week.

“While this is not a light-hearted decision, we must send an unequivocal message: we strongly condemn all the actions of the Putin regime,” she said on Tuesday. “This suspension will be in place until the end of hostilities against Ukraine, and the Putin regime will be held accountable for its crimes. We must continue to support freedom-loving people everywhere and ordinary Russians in their desire to be free. ”

The current mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, 63, has not publicly commented on the suspension of the program from Chicago.

Chicago has been a sister city of Moscow since 1997. The Wind City is also a sister city to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, since 1991 and 27 others.

Lori Lightfoot, 59, said on Tuesday that she had asked World Business Chicago, “Economic Development Agency,” “to cut off Chicago’s ties with Moscow” in light of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine last week.

The current mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, 63, has not publicly commented on the suspension of the program from Chicago. Moscow is one of 29 cities partnering with Chicago, including Kyiv

“Although this is not a light-hearted decision, we must send an unequivocal message: we strongly condemn all the actions of the Putin regime,” she said on Tuesday.

Lightfoot’s announcement came after 33 city council members proposed repealing the agreement and called on other US cities to follow suit.

The proposal was led by Raymond Lopez, of the 15th ward. Writing on Twitter: “Today I join 32 of my colleagues in the Municipal Council in calling for the revocation of the status of Moscow’s brothers and sisters due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

“We are united with those who work to protect freedom and democracy. Other American cities must follow our example now!

The TV tower in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, was hit by a Russian strike on Tuesday

A burned-out car can be seen on the street after a rocket fired by Russian invaders struck near the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building on Svoboda Square on Tuesday.

Hundreds gather at Kyiv train station to try to get out of town with news of Russian convoys approaching Kyiv

The proposal also calls for the program to be “canceled” by any partner city that supports Russia.

Chicago Sister Cities International issued a statement saying: “Chicago is home to a large and proud Ukrainian American community. We stand in solidarity with Ukrainians here and around the world in support of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Chicago and Kyiv have been twin cities since 1991, the same year that Ukraine gained its independence. Since then, Chicago and Kyiv have shared a long history of friendship and cooperation. Today, Chicago is home to a large and proud Ukrainian American community.

“Since 1997, Chicago and Moscow have also been twin cities. “The Kiev and Moscow committees of the CSCI are saddened by the current events, condemn the acts of aggression against Ukraine and are committed to promoting understanding through diplomacy between citizens,” the statement said.

The twin city program began in 1991, when then-Mayor Richard M. Daly signed the executive order. Other cities include Athens, Greece; Paris, France; Birmingham, UK; Mexico City, Mexico; Milan, Italy; and more.

Chicago Sister Cities International also issued a statement saying: “Chicago is home to a large and proud Ukrainian American community. We stand in solidarity with Ukrainians here and around the world in support of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

City Councilman Raymond Lopez – who first proposed repealing the program – encouraged other “American cities” to follow suit

In addition, both cities are facing rising crime rates, with Chicago reporting a total of 206,000 in the city in 2021. It was the deadliest year in decades for Windy City with nearly 800 homicides – the most since 1996.

Moscow reported only 143,000 total crimes last year, by comparison, according to Statistica.

Chicago is not the only one pulling support from Russia. States such as New Hampshire, Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio have withdrawn sales of Russian vodka from the shelves of state liquor stores.

Texas has also called on CEOs of interest groups representing restaurants, packaging companies and retailers to eliminate Russian products. And New York signed an executive order to withdraw all money from Russian investments.

Technology giant Apple has halted all product sales in Russia in response to the Russian invasion.

The move comes after Mikhail Fedorov, Ukraine’s digital minister, sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking him to suspend all sales and services in Russia, including the App Store.

The brothers of Chicago

• Accra, Greece
• Amman, Jordan
• Athens, Greece
• Belgrade Serbia
• Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Bogota, Colombia
• Busan, Republic of Korea
• Casablanca, Morocco
• Delhi, India
• Durban, South Africa
• Galway, Ireland
• Gothenburg, Sweden
• Hamburg, Germany
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Lahore, Pakistan
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Milan, Italy
• Moscow, Russia (discontinued)
• Osaka, Japan
• Paris, France
• Petah Pumpkin, Israel
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Shanghai, China
• Shenyang, China
• Sydney, Australia
• Toronto, Canada
• Vilnius, Lithuania
• Warsaw, Poland

Source: Chicago Sister City

Apple confirmed on Tuesday that it sought to halt Russian sales, which Fedorov said he hoped would infuriate younger Russians and motivate them to protest the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Apple said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and we are with all the people who are suffering as a result of the violence.”

“We support the humanitarian effort, provide assistance for the unfolding refugee crisis and do everything we can to support our teams in the region,” Apple said in a statement.

The company outlined a number of actions in response to the invasion, including stopping all exports in its sales channels in the country.

Apple Pay and other services are limited, the company said.

Russian state media, RT News and Sputnik News, are no longer available for download from the Apple Store outside of Russia.

On Tuesday, consumers in Russia still had access to Apple’s online store, but attempts to buy an iPhone showed they were not available for delivery.

Apple, which already had a tough relationship with Russia, does not maintain any physical Apple stores in the country, distributing iPhones there through online stores and licensed retailers.

However, Russia represents a small but growing segment of Apple’s revenue.

According to Russian technology news portal TAdviser, Apple’s revenue in Russia in 2020 reached 266 billion rubles, or about $ 2.5 billion – about one percent of the company’s annual sales.

The wife of 28-year-old host Stephen Colbert – Evelyn ‘Evie’ McGee – praised him for still making fans laugh while “we were all on the verge of tears” – calling him the TV “adviser for grief “.

“The difficult thing is that he is trying to make people laugh. It’s a comedy show, but he’s always been an emotional person, “said the 58-year-old daughter of politician Joseph McGee in the spring men’s fashion magazine. WSJ. magazinewhich comes out in the booths on March 12.

“We were all on the verge of tears, frankly, a lot. Sometimes I get the feeling that Stephen has become a real-time grief counselor on television. He did not seek this task and it is difficult. But I think this is his act of love.

Television Adviser: The wife of The Late Show host Stephen Colbert, 28, Evelyn “Ivy” McGee, praised him for still making fans laugh while “we were all on the verge of tears” ( pictured in 2019)

The 57-year-old South Carolina-born DC discussed his unexpected transformation from a macho political satirist at Comedy Central to CBS television’s favorite grief counselor.

“We often realize that we love something while losing it,” Stephen told the magazine.

“A lot has been lost in the last five years: standards, morals, shared reality, common civic commitment, many friends. And Kovid, of course, gave everything a special, spicy little zaz.

Many are related to Colbert due to the unbearable loss of his family – his father James and two brothers Peter and Paul died in a plane crash in 1974, followed by the death of his mother Lorna in 2013 at the age of 92.

The 58-year-old daughter of politician Joseph McGee told the WSJ. Magazine: “The hard thing is that he is trying to make people laugh. It’s a comedy show, but he’s always been an emotional person. We’ve all been on the verge of tears, frankly, a lot. “

Ivy continued: “Sometimes I get the feeling that Stephen has become a real-time grief counselor. He did not seek this task and it is difficult. But I think it’s his act of love “(pictured June 14)

Man of Faith: The DC-born South Carolina-born 57-year-old discusses his unexpected transformation from a macho political satirist at Comedy Central to his favorite CBS television grief adviser

Stephen told the magazine: “A lot has been lost in the last five years: standards, morals, shared reality, shared civic commitment, many friends. And Kovid, of course, gave everything a special, spicy little zaz.

For example, two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield was comfortable enough with a graduate of The Daily Show in the November 22 episode of Late Show to discuss his mother Lynn’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2019.

“The openness and affection he has with seemingly cultural taboo topics, such as grief, allow his guests to be in touch and reveal these aspects of their own selves and experiences,” the 38-year-old Englishman wrote in an email.

“For their part, the audience gets a real, deep and connected experience. So the show feels like an act of service to the people. I think Stephen would be a great priest.

Initially, Stephen had predicted that his time on the late-night talk show would be more silly, but in the end, “it didn’t match the moment we became part.”

“We often realize that we love something while losing it”: Many are related to Colbert because of the unbearable loss of his family – his father James and two brothers Peter and Paul died in a plane crash in 1974, followed by his death in 2013. his mother Lorna was 92 years old

“I think Stephen would be a great priest”: For example, two-time Oscar nominee Andrew Garfield (left) was comfortable enough with a graduate of The Daily Show in the November 22 episode of the Late Show to discuss his mother’s death. Lynn in 2019

The 38-year-old Englishman (pictured Sunday) said: “The frankness and affection he has for seemingly cultural taboo topics such as grief allows his guests permission to be in touch and reveal these aspects of their own selves. experience. For its part, the audience gets a real, deep and connected experience. So the show feels like an act of service to the people

“I thought I could put my sword and shield by the river because that’s the part of the old concert I didn’t particularly like – anyone who thought, ‘Hey, what you’re doing is important!'” Colbert said. .

“Because it’s the opposite of being as stupid as you can be, and I really like being stupid.”

Instead, the Emmy winner’s 10-time talk show has become more about love, which he admitted “sounds a little pretentious.”

Quoting the poet E. E. Cummings – whose father was also killed in an accident – Stephen said: “Love is every single god / who spoke on this earth so joyfully and greatly.” So why would you talk about anything else?

“I really like being dumb”: At first, Stephen had imagined that his time on the late-night talk show would be more silly, but in the end it “didn’t match the moment we became part” (pictured February 25)

“Why would you talk about anything else?” Instead, Colbert’s talk show became more about love, which he admitted “sounds a little pretentious” (pictured February 22).

“I know it’s hard for him”: The leader of The Late Show John Batiste (R, pictured February 1) revealed that the 10-time Emmy winner feels a little burdened by his newfound title of “light bearer in the dark”

The leader of The Late Show, John Batiste, revealed that Colbert felt a little burdened by his newfound title of “light bearer in the dark.”

“I know it’s hard for him, so we have a lot of personal moments where he naturally goes to this place,” the 35-year-old Oscar-winning composer told the magazine.

“Because my role in the show is really to bring that sense of vitality and upliftment.”

The 35-year-old Oscar-winning composer (pictured June 14) told the magazine: “We have a lot of personal moments where he naturally goes to this place, because my role in the show is to really bring that sense of vitality and upliftment.”

Dapper: Stephen is fascinated by the spread with the help of stylist Anthony Accereas, hairdresser Jenna Robinson and make-up artist Jesse Lindholm

“After the state of the Union!” On Tuesday, Colbert will present Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and musical guest Big Thief at The Late Show

And with all the gaslight going on in the deeply divided political sphere, the two-time Grammy winner – who coined the term “truth” – said he was “here to say every night that you’re not crazy.” It’s crazy to say you’re crazy.

Stephen is fascinated by the spread with the help of stylist Anthony Accereas, hairdresser Jenna Robinson and make-up artist Jesse Lindholm.

Following the state union of President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Colbert will present Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and musical guest Big Thief on The Late Show.