Minggu, 28 Februari 2021

Trump CPAC speech: Former president says he may run again in 2024, in first public address since leaving White House - Sky News

Donald Trump has suggested he may run for president again in 2024 - amid an angry attack on Joe Biden in his first major address since leaving the White House.

The Republican used his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in an apparent effort to cement his status as the party's undisputed leader despite his defeat in November.

"Do you miss me yet?" Mr Trump began, amid rapturous applause.

Donald Trump receives an enthusiastic welcome from supporters at CPAC. Pic: AP
Image: Donald Trump receives an enthusiastic welcome from supporters at CPAC. Pic: AP

"I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we began together... there's never been a journey so successful - we began it together four years ago and it is far from over," he said.

He dismissed suggestions he may start a new party, saying "we're not interested in them".

"We all knew the Biden administration was going to be bad, but none of us even imagined just how bad they would be," he said.

"He talked about energy. I thought 'this guy, actually he's ok with energy'. He wasn't ok with energy... he wants windmills."

Continuing his attack, he suggested the Democrat would lose in 2024, adding: "Who knows, I may even decide to beat them for a third time" - a reference to the repeated and baseless claim that he did not lose the last election.

The former reality TV star returned to many of his favourite themes, apparently deviating from his prepared speech while railing over immigration, the Paris Climate Agreement and attacking China.

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Former US President Donald Trump has rejected claims that he is starting a new party, calling the claims, 'fake news'.

Despite his lie that last year's election was not fair having helped fuel deadly riots involving his supporters at the US Capitol on 6 January, Mr Trump repeatedly returned to the allegation.

Amid his wide-ranging attacks on Mr Biden, who received over seven million votes more than him nationwide, he suggested the Democrat's administration was pushing policies that would "destroy women's sports" - before referring to transgender women as "biological males", prompting a standing ovation from the audience.

He also said many people were now using "the new term, Trumpism".

"I'm hearing that term more and more," he claimed.

"I didn't come up with it."

Donald Trump kisses the American flag after speaking at Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2020. Pic: AP
Image: The president kisses the American flag after speaking at last year's CPAC. Pic: AP

Returning to the theme of wind power, he suggested an over reliance on the source of energy could mean there was not enough electricity to watch him on TV - before complaining that "it kills the birds".

The event so far at a Hyatt hotel in Orlando, Florida, has been a tribute to Trump and Trumpism - even featuring a golden statue in his likeness.

Speakers, including many potential GOP 2024 hopefuls, have argued the party must embrace the former president and his followers, even after the insurrection at the Capitol.

They face opposition from others who argue the party must move in a new, less divisive direction after Republicans lost not only the White House to Mr Biden but both chambers of Congress in the last elections.

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2021-02-28 23:26:15Z
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World condemns Myanmar crackdown as 18 peaceful protesters killed - Al Jazeera English

World leaders have strongly condemned the bloodiest crackdown yet by Myanmar’s security forces against peaceful anti-coup demonstrators, in which at least 18 people were killed and dozens wounded in several cities across Myanmar, according to the United Nations’ human rights office.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday led the chorus of international condemnation against the actions of the military, which grabbed power on February 1 and declared a year-long “emergency” after alleging electoral fraud in a November election that was won by civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party in a landslide.

About 1,000 protesters demanding Aung San Suu Kyi’s government be restored to power are believed to have been detained on Sunday.

“The use of lethal force against peaceful protesters and arbitrary arrests are unacceptable,” Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman, said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General urges the international community to come together and send a clear signal to the military that it must respect the will of the people of Myanmar as expressed through the election and stop the repression.”

Meanwhile, European Union diplomatic chief Josep Borrell confirmed in a statement the bloc would “take measures in response to these developments shortly”.

“The military authorities must immediately stop the use of force against civilians and allow the population to express their right to freedom of expression and assembly,” Borrell said in a statement.

European ministers have already agreed on sanctions against Myanmar’s military over the coup and have decided to withhold some development aid. The sanctions are expected to be finalised in the coming days and will take effect once an official notice has been published by the EU.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned what he described as “the Burmese security forces’ abhorrent violence against the people of Burma”, using the country’s former name.

The United States announced new sanctions on Monday against two more generals involved in the February 1 military coup in Myanmar, after protesters were killed in a crackdown on demonstrations last weekend.

“We stand firmly with the courageous people of Burma & encourage all countries to speak with one voice in support of their will,” Blinken tweeted on Sunday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office said the “violence must stop and democracy must be restored”, while also noting the UK had already imposed sanction on the coup leaders.

“Working with the US and Canada, the UK has taken action by imposing human rights sanctions against nine Myanmar military officers, including the commander-in-chief, for their role in the coup,” the spokeswoman said.

Turkey also strongly condemned what it called disproportionate use of force by Myanmar’s army.

“We observe with deep concern that the stability in Myanmar is deteriorating after the coup,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “We call for the necessary steps to be taken for the restoration of democracy without delay for the maintenance of peace and stability in the country and the immediate cessation of violence against the peaceful protesters,” it added.

‘We’re in this together’

Earlier on Sunday, the UN human rights office said in statement police and military forces had confronted peaceful demonstrations in several locations across Myanmar, using “lethal force and less-than-lethal force” that left at least 18 people dead and more than 30 wounded.

“Deaths reportedly occurred as a result of live ammunition fired into crowds in Yangon, Dawei, Mandalay, Myeik, Bago and Pokokku,” it said, referring to several cities, adding that the forces also used tear gas, flash-bang grenades and stun grenades.

The crackdown came after state television announced that Myanmar’s envoy to the UN had been fired after he urged the global body to use “any means necessary” to reverse the coup.

A woman shows the three-finger salute and holds up a poster against Myanmar military coup as part of the Milk Tea Alliance united rally in Taipei [Ann Wang/Reuters]
Meanwhile, activists in a number of Asian countries and elsewhere held rallies on Sunday to support the anti-coup protesters in Myanmar.

Following a call for help from Myanmar pro-democracy campaigners, some 200 people in Taipei and dozens in Bangkok, Melbourne and Hong Kong took to the streets waving #MilkTeaAlliance signs and flags.

The hashtag, which originated as a protest against online attacks from nationalists in China, was used millions of times on Sunday. Its name originates from the shared passion for the milky drink in Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Activists in Indonesia and Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia expressed their solidarity by posting messages and artwork online as part of a social media campaign.

“Myanmar activists have been very active in engaging with Milk Tea Alliance since the coup,” said Thai activist Rathasat Plenwong, who went to show his support for the Myanmar protests in Bangkok.

“We feel like we’re in this together.”

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2021-02-28 21:02:22Z
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Trump CPAC speech: Former president says he may run again in 2024 - Sky News

Donald Trump has suggested he may run for president again in 2024 - amid an angry attack on Joe Biden in his first major address since leaving the White House.

The Republican used his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) - during which he appeared to frequently depart from his prepared text - in an apparent effort to cement his status as the party's undisputed leader despite his defeat in November.

"Do you miss me yet?" Mr Trump began, amid rapturous applause.

Donald Trump receives an enthusiastic welcome from supporters at CPAC. Pic: AP
Image: Donald Trump receives an enthusiastic welcome from supporters at CPAC. Pic: AP

"I stand before you today to declare that the incredible journey we began together... there's never been a journey so successful - we began it together four years ago and it is far from over," he said.

He dismissed suggestions he may start a new party, saying "we're not interested in them".

"We all knew the Biden administration was going to be bad, but none of us even imagined just how bad they would be," he said.

"He talked about energy. I thought 'this guy, actually he's ok with energy'. He wasn't ok with energy... he wants windmills."

Continuing his attack, he suggested the Democrat would lose in 2024, adding: "Who knows, I may even decide to beat them for a third time" - a reference to the repeated and baseless claim that he did not lose the last election.

The former reality TV star returned to many of his favourite themes, apparently deviating from his prepared speech while railing over immigration, the Paris Climate Agreement and attacking China.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former US President Donald Trump has rejected claims that he is starting a new party, calling the claims, 'fake news'.

Despite his lie that last year's election was not fair having helped fuel deadly riots involving his supporters at the US Capitol on 6 January, Mr Trump repeatedly returned to the allegation.

Amid his wide-ranging attacks on Mr Biden, who received over seven million votes more than him nationwide, he suggested the Democrat's administration was pushing policies that would "destroy women's sports" - before referring to transgender women as "biological males", prompting a standing ovation from the audience.

He also said many people were now using "the new term, Trumpism".

"I'm hearing that term more and more," he claimed.

"I didn't come up with it."

Donald Trump kisses the American flag after speaking at Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2020. Pic: AP
Image: The president kisses the American flag after speaking last year's CPAC. Pic: AP

Returning to the theme of wind power, he suggested an over reliance on the source of energy could mean there was not enough electricity to watch him on TV - before complaining that "it kills the birds".

The event so far at a Hyatt hotel in Orlando, Florida, has been a tribute to Trump and Trumpism - even featuring a golden statue in his likeness.

Speakers, including many potential GOP 2024 hopefuls, have argued the party must embrace the former president and his followers, even after the insurrection at the Capitol.

They face opposition from others who argue the party must move in a new, less divisive direction after Republicans lost not only the White House to Mr Biden but both chambers of Congress in the last elections.

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2021-02-28 22:52:30Z
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In pictures: A bloody day in Myanmar's protests - BBC News

Protesters run after police fired tear gas to disperse them during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon
AFP

Myanmar security forces have intensified their crackdown on anti-coup protests in the country.

The UN human rights office said Sunday was the deadliest day of the rallies so far, with at least 18 people killed across the country.

Images from various cities show protesters running from police, who fired tear gas and live ammunition.

The military took power on 1 February, alleging electoral fraud and detaining elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Her party won last year's elections in a landslide. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets since the coup calling for military rule to end.

Protesters hold posters with the image of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration against the military coup in Naypyidaw
AFP
Protesters take cover as they clash with riot police officers during a protest against the military coup in Yangon
Reuters
Security forces intervene in protesters as they gather to protest against the military coup in Yangon
Getty Images
Myanmar soldiers walk along a street during a protest against the military coup in Yangon
Reuters
People gather to protest against the military coup in Yangon
Getty Images
Demonstrators gesture at riot police behind makeshift barricades during a protest against the military coup in Mandalay
EPA
A member of Red Cross walks amid protests against the military coup in Dawei
Dawei Watch/Reuters
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More on the Myanmar coup:

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2021-02-28 17:00:50Z
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CPAC: Trump to return to political stage at conservative conference - BBC News

A golden statue of Donald Trump is seen being moved into CPAC conference
Getty Images

Donald Trump will give his first speech since leaving office as US president later on Sunday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

It comes just weeks after he was acquitted during an impeachment trial which saw some members of his own Republican party vote against him.

Mr Trump is expected to attack the actions being taken by successor Joe Biden in the Florida speech.

The CPAC appearance represents his continued influence over Republicans.

The mood of the conference so far has been extremely pro-Trump, with loyalists including Texas Senator Ted Cruz and his son Donald Trump Jr among the speakers confirmed.

Mr Trump's speech is being hotly anticipated by his supporters, given his relative absence from the political spotlight since leaving office.

The former president remains banned from social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, over his response to January's deadly riot at the US Capitol.

He has been living at his Mar-a-Lago Florida golf resort since leaving the White House.

What is Donald Trump expected to say?

According to prepared script excerpts sent by his office ahead of time, Mr Trump will attack early actions by President Joe Biden during the speech - especially on immigration.

He is also set to focus on what he will describe as the future of "our movement" during the speech, amid a divide among some Republicans over the party's future political direction.

Mr Trump is expected to say that "incredible journey" that he and supporters "began together four years ago is far from over". But the former president is not expected to confirm another presidential run in 2024 yet, according to a senior advisor quoted by CBS.

Mr Trump's son, Donald Jr, trailed his father's appearance during his own speech on Friday.

"I imagine it will not be what we call a low energy speech, and I assure you that it will solidify Donald Trump and all of your feelings about the Maga [Make America Great Again] movement as the future of the Republican party," he told attendees.

Donald Trump Jr. waves to the crowd after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in
Reuters
Roger Stone arrives for the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency
Getty Images

Members of his party remained largely loyal to Mr Trump during his time in office but 10 voted to impeach him in the House of Representatives last month and seven voted to convict him in the subsequent Senate trial. The overall tally, 57-43 in favour of his guilt, fell short of the two-thirds margin needed to convict Mr Trump.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in congress, criticised the former president's actions after his acquittal - declaring Mr Trump "practically and morally responsible" for provoking the riot, despite personally voting against his guilt on the incitement charge.

Mr Trump then broke his relative silence to launch a scathing personal attack on Mr McConnell who he described as "a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack".

The schism in the party has remained since, with those who have broken rank against him notably absent from the CPAC stage.

The conference, which began in 1974, is seen as the most influential gathering of US Conservatives and a barometer of the Republican party's political direction.

Despite losing November's presidential election and being deeply criticised over the January riot by some of his supporters, reports suggest Mr Trump remains extremely popular among his voting base.

There has been much speculation about the 74-year-old's future political plans following his electoral defeat.

What else has happened at CPAC?

The conference began on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando.

Trump loyalists like Senator Josh Hawley and Representative Matt Gaetz have been on the bill so far with other major figures like former Vice President Mike Pence and Mr McConnell notably absent.

Many speakers have focused on the importance of "blue-collar workers" to the party in their speeches.

Senator Ted Cruz appeared on Friday on the back of his own political controversy regarding his decision to fly to Cancun with his family during a deadly winter storm in Texas.

Ted Cruz speaking at CPAC
Getty Images

"I gotta say: Orlando is awesome! It's not as nice as Cancun, but it's nice," he said, making light of the scandal. He then went on to rail against the media, coronavirus restrictions and "cancel culture" before declaring: "Donald J Trump ain't going anywhere".

The sentiment was echoed by Mr Trump's eldest son and his former Fox News presenter partner Kimberly Guilfoyle during their appearance at the event.

Mr Trump will headline the conference's closing on Sunday, following speeches from others including his former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is now running for Arkansas governor.

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2021-02-28 15:51:58Z
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Junta warns embassies against speaking to Aung San Suu Kyi representatives - Financial Times

Myanmar’s junta has ordered foreign embassies, UN agencies and other international organisations in the country not to talk to “illegal entities” representing Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, which it forced out of power this month.

The regime’s warning to embassies came as representatives of Aung San Suu Kyi’s toppled government consolidated their drive for international recognition, amid a sharp escalation of a crackdown by the military regime on Sunday that turned parts of Yangon into battle zones.

Police and soldiers on Sunday fired live ammunition, stun grenades and tear gas at crowds in Myanmar’s biggest city, and clashed violently with protesters in Mandalay, the second city, Dawei in the south, and several other cities, including in ethnic minority states. At least 18 people died in the worst day of violence since the coup, and hundreds were arrested over the weekend.

The directive from Myanmar’s military-controlled foreign ministry, dated February 26 and seen by the Financial Times, said that the formation of groups such as the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), or parliament, formed by MPs pushed aside in the February 1 coup, were illegal. 

“The Ministry, therefore, would like to advise all diplomatic missions, the specialised agencies of the United Nations and international organisations accredited in Myanmar to refrain from making contacts or communications with those illegal entities,” the directive said. 

Myanmar state television reported on Saturday that Kyaw Moe Tun had been sacked as the country’s UN ambassador after he denounced the coup, publicly broke with the junta and urged the world to support the CRPH in a speech at the general assembly.

“It is crystal clear that we all do not want to go back to the system we were in before,” he said, raising three fingers at the end of his speech in a gesture popularised by democracy protesters in Myanmar and Thailand.

The CRPH was formed on February 5 by National League for Democracy MPs who managed to avoid arrest after Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was ousted by General Min Aung Hlaing. The military commander declared a year-long state of emergency and vowed to rerun an election the NLD won after making unsupported allegations of voter fraud. 

Sa Sa, the CRPH’s UN envoy appointed last week, told the FT that the CRPH planned to form its own “interim government” inside Myanmar in the coming weeks and seek recognition from the US, UK and UN. 

South-east Asian governments, led by Indonesia, are seeking to defuse the crisis and last week held talks in Bangkok with Wunna Maung Lwin, the junta’s foreign minister. The meeting infuriated supporters of the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under arrest and facing criminal charges.

Popular sympathy for Myanmar’s protest movement has spread among democracy activists elsewhere in Asia, through an online “Milk Tea Alliance”, which has called for mass protests in Bangkok and elsewhere in the region on Sunday. 

On Saturday, Woodside, the Australian energy company, became the latest foreign investor to pull out of Myanmar, saying that it “condemns human rights violations”, and would be demobilising its offshore exploration drilling team there in coming weeks.

“Reports of violence against the Myanmar people participating in peaceful protests are deeply distressing,” the company said. Woodside was lambasted by human rights groups after its chief executive Peter Coleman seemingly dismissed the coup and said that the company would proceed with a gas project in the country. 

Follow on Twitter: @JohnReedwrites


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2021-02-28 15:08:07Z
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COVID-19: Single-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine cleared in the US - Sky News

US regulators have approved Johnson & Johnson's single-dose COVID jab, enabling millions more Americans to be vaccinated and setting the vaccine up for additional approvals around the world.

The J&J vaccine is the third authorised in the US following ones from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, both of which require two doses.

COVID-19 has claimed more than half a million lives in the US, and states are clamouring for more doses to stem cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

In a 44,000-person global trial carried out by Johnson & Johnson, the vaccine was found to be 66% effective at preventing moderate-to-severe COVID-19 four weeks after inoculation.

It was 100% effective in preventing hospitalisation and death due to the virus.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are based on new messenger RNA technology, showed higher efficacy rates in pivotal trials that used two doses versus J&J's single-shot vaccine.

Direct comparison, however, is difficult because the trials had different goals and J&J's was conducted while more contagious new variants of the virus were circulating.

More from Covid-19

Dr William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, said: "It potentially could play a very substantial role if we have enough doses because it's only a single-dose vaccine and that will make it attractive to people who are difficult to reach.

"It's one and done."

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President Joe Biden hailed the move but cautioned Americans against celebrating too soon.

"Things are still likely to get worse again as new variants spread," he said in a statement, urging people to continue washing their hands, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we cannot let our guard down now or assume that victory is inevitable," he added.

The US government, which has purchased 100 million doses of the J&J vaccine, plans to distribute about 3 million to 4 million next week. That would be on top of the around 16 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines the government already planned to ship across the country.

So far, the US has distributed more than 90 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, some of which have been used for second shots. About 14% of Americans have received at least one dose, according to US government data.

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2021-02-28 06:16:51Z
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Junta warns embassies against speaking to Aung San Suu Kyi representatives - Financial Times

Myanmar’s junta has ordered foreign embassies, UN agencies and other international organisations in the country not to talk to “illegal entities” representing Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party, which it forced out of power this month.

The directive from Myanmar’s military-controlled foreign ministry, dated February 26 and seen by the Financial Times, said that the formation of groups such as the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), or parliament, formed by MPs pushed aside in the February 1 coup, were illegal. 

“The Ministry, therefore, would like to advise all diplomatic missions, the specialised agencies of the United Nations and international organisations accredited in Myanmar to refrain from making contacts or communications with those illegal entities,” the directive said. 

The regime’s warning to embassies came as representatives of Aung San Suu Kyi’s toppled government consolidated their drive for international recognition, amid a sharp escalation of a crackdown by the military regime on Sunday that turned parts of Yangon into battle zones.

Police and soldiers fired live ammunition, stun grenades and tear gas at crowds in Myanmar’s biggest city, and clashed violently with protesters in Mandalay, the second city, Dawei in the south, and several other cities, including in ethnic minority states. At least seven people died in the worst day of violence since the coup, and hundreds were arrested over the weekend.

Myanmar state television reported on Saturday that Kyaw Moe Tun had been sacked as the country’s UN ambassador after he denounced the coup, publicly broke with the junta and urged the world to support the CRPH in a speech at the general assembly.

“It is crystal clear that we all do not want to go back to the system we were in before,” he said, raising three fingers at the end of his speech in a gesture popularised by democracy protesters in Myanmar and Thailand.

The CRPH was formed on February 5 by National League for Democracy MPs who managed to avoid arrest after Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was ousted by General Min Aung Hlaing. The military commander declared a year-long state of emergency and vowed to rerun an election the NLD won after making unsupported allegations of voter fraud. 

Sa Sa, the CRPH’s UN envoy appointed last week, told the FT that the CRPH planned to form its own “interim government” inside Myanmar in the coming weeks and seek recognition from the US, UK and UN. 

South-east Asian governments, led by Indonesia, are seeking to defuse the crisis and last week held talks in Bangkok with Wunna Maung Lwin, the junta’s foreign minister. The meeting infuriated supporters of the NLD and Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under arrest and facing criminal charges.

Popular sympathy for Myanmar’s protest movement has spread among democracy activists elsewhere in Asia, through an online “Milk Tea Alliance”, which has called for mass protests in Bangkok and elsewhere in the region on Sunday. 

On Saturday, Woodside, the Australian energy company, became the latest foreign investor to pull out of Myanmar, saying that it “condemns human rights violations”, and would be demobilising its offshore exploration drilling team there in coming weeks.

“Reports of violence against the Myanmar people participating in peaceful protests are deeply distressing,” the company said. Woodside was lambasted by human rights groups after its chief executive Peter Coleman seemingly dismissed the coup and said that the company would proceed with a gas project in the country. 

Follow on Twitter: @JohnReedwrites


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2021-02-28 04:10:35Z
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Sabtu, 27 Februari 2021

Bad news for Donald Trump Jr: the right is fast tiring of Trumps - The Times

Donald Trump will stride into Orlando, Florida, today for his first public engagement since Joe Biden’s inauguration, confident that he remains the biggest political superstar on the planet. The Conservative Political Action conference (CPAC) — the most important gathering of Republican Party activists — is home to his most ardent supporters. The mere mention of his name guarantees whoops and cheers. He is certain to receive a rip-roaring ovation.

I have news for Trump, though. Republican activists love him, but do not want him to lead them in the 2024 presidential elections. They do not think his son Don Jr is ready for primetime at the White House either.

At the conference, our photographer caught Don Jr making the “OK” hand gesture to an acquaintance

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2021-02-28 00:01:00Z
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Covid-19: Police officers injured at Dublin anti-lockdown protest - BBC News

Arrests at Dublin Covid-19 restrictions protest
Damian Eagers/PA

Three police officers have been injured after attacks during a demonstration against Covid-19 restrictions in the centre of Dublin.

Hundreds of protesters were prevented from gathering at St Stephen's Green and were moved to Grafton Street by officers using batons.

Police were attacked with fireworks, cans and bollards and Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported one officer was taken to hospital.

There have been 23 arrests.

On Saturday night, gardaí (Irish police) said 20 people had been charged in connection with the protests, with 13 of them appearing before the Criminal Court of Justice before being remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court at a later date.

Seven of those arrested were charged with offences and released on station bail while "three juveniles were released for consideration of inclusion in the Juvenile Diversion Programme", gardaí said.

Garda (Irish police) Commissioner Drew Harris said police were "lucky" an officer was not seriously injured when a firework was aimed at them.

Drew Harris
Damian Eagers/PA

"It was directed at that individual and so we're fortunate we didn't suffer a serious injury. It's only the individual member's quick thinking saved him," Mr Harris told a media briefing on Saturday evening.

"You don't carry fireworks to a protest for any other purpose than to engage in violent conduct," he added.

The commissioner said a full investigation is under way into what happened at the protest.

Mr Harris said: "Undoubtedly there was an element of planning, we could see that building up during the week between social media and other contexts."

He said a number of groups were "working in concert" with each other, ranging from far right and far left groups, as well as those opposing lockdowns and vaccines.

Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin condemned the protest and said they "posed an unacceptable risk to both the public and Gardaí (Irish police)".

Paying tribute to police "who moved quickly to make arrests and restore order", Mr Martin added that the large gathering "showed a complete lack of respect to the people who have made huge sacrifices during this pandemic".

Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Leo Varadkar said he was "horrified" by what had happened.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

The Fine Gael leader said there was "no excuse for violence to gardaí or anyone", adding that a "selfish few" were undermining "sacrifices that millions have made in the last 12 months".

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2021-02-27 23:18:36Z
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Arrests made after hundreds gather for anti-lockdown protests in Dublin - Sky News

Police have arrested a number people after hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters gathered in Dublin.

About 20 people were arrested by Gardai in the centre of the Irish capital on Saturday after an anti-lockdown demonstration began around 2pm.

Officers were forced to draw their batons after one protester threw a firework at police.

The protesters, who were not wearing masks and carried anti-lockdown placards, tried to gather in St Stephen's Green park, but the gates were closed by officials.

Sky News Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy said there were no reports of any serious injuries and a "handful" of public order arrests were made.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said up to 20 people were arrested during the protest.

"Very regrettably, people arrived intent on violence. They engaged in attacks on members of An Garda Siochana including the throwing of a firework type device.

More from Covid-19

"They had no reasonable grounds for being there in the first place so we will pursue particularly those who formed a very hard core to deal with.

"We will follow through with an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Gardai and protesters clash in Dublin
Image: Officers hold one protester to the ground
Gardai arrests protester in Dublin
Image: A man is arrested during the demonstrations in Dublin

Simon Harris, Ireland's minister for further and higher education condemned the protest.

He tweeted: "Pure thuggery on the streets of Dublin today. It's not a 'protest'. It's an attack on our national effort.

"The abuse directed at the Gardai is sickening and shameful. Disgraceful. Thoughts with the Gardai and their families."

Gardai and protesters clash in Dublin
Image: Officers were forced to draw their batons

Ireland is in its ninth week of Level 5 national coronavirus restrictions.

Nationwide, 373,280 COVID-19 jabs have been given out - compared to 19.6 million in the UK.

On Friday, 29 new COVID-related deaths were reported alongside 776 new cases.

In the UK on Friday there were 345 further deaths recorded and 8,523 new infections.

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2021-02-27 18:42:51Z
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