Joe Biden marks over 500,000 Covid deaths in the US: ‘We have to resist becoming numb to the sorrow’
President Joe Biden led a sombre address to the nation on Monday as the US hit the “heartbreaking” milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths, as Donald Trump’s team dismissed news of a rift with his former vice-president Mike Pence.
Mr Biden observed a minute’s silence outside the White House alongside vice-president Kamala Harris and their partners during a candle-lit vigil and urged Americans to “fight this together as one people.”
He described hitting the 500,000 number as a “truly grim, heartbreaking milestone” and noted that the number of US death’s from the pandemic is now higher than the death toll from World War One, World War Two and the Vietnam War combined.
It comes as Mr Trump’s advisers have denied that the former president refused to share a stage with Mike Pence at the conservative annual political conference in Florida and played down talk of a dispute between the pair.
Mr Trump’s senior aide Jason Miller said: “This story is patently false, and these ‘anonymously sourced’ attacks designed to create division are why people distrust the media.”
“No such demand or request was ever made by President Trump, and in fact, President Trump and Vice President Pence had a great call last week!” he added.
CPAC 2021: What will Trump say at the influential Republican conference and who else is speaking?
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) opens on Thursday 25 February in Orlando, Florida, with ousted president Donald Trump its headline speaker in his first public engagement since leaving the White House for Mar-a-Lago a month ago.
Joe Sommerlad has all the details
Joe Middleton23 February 2021 12:52
Donald Trump ‘will attend Republican donor retreat’
The ex-president has confirmed he will attend the Republican party’s donor retreat between April 9-11 in Florida, as reported by Politico.
The event will feature a number of potential candidates for the 2024 presidential election, including Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Florida Senator Rick Scott.
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel has said the party will be strictly neutral when coming to assess nominees for 2024.
Mr Trump’s attendance is further confirmation that he does not intend to shy away from the political limelight anytime soon.
Joe Middleton23 February 2021 12:31
Biden aiming to mend US-Canada ties after tensions of Trump era
Joe Biden is hoping his first meeting with Justin Trudeau will clear the way for strengthening US-Canada ties that were strongly tested under Donald Trump.
The US president, his Canadian counterpart, and their respective cabinets will come together virtually on Tuesday for the first bilateral head of government meeting of Mr Biden’s young presidency, writes The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg.
Joe Middleton23 February 2021 12:05
CPAC ‘America Uncanceled’ cancels speaker after online rant about ‘thieving fake Jews’
An upcoming conservative political conference in the US called “America Uncanceled” has cancelled a speaker for his derogatory remarks about Jewish people.
Young Pharaoh, who identifies as an artist and philosopher, reportedly told his followers that Judaism is a lie, made up for political gain and allegedly also called them “thieving fake Jews.”
He was due to speak at the conservative political action conference (CPAC) in Orlando, starting on Thursday.
Joe Middleton23 February 2021 11:40
Biden attempt to resurrect Iran nuke deal off to bumpy start
The Biden administration’s early efforts to resurrect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are getting a chilly early response from Tehran.
Though few expected a breakthrough in the first month of the new administration, Iran’s tough line suggests a difficult road ahead.
Having made several significant overtures to Iran in its…