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- The Independent
Arizona lawmaker uses racist language, demands Black colleague be ‘sat down’ in clash over voting rights bill
State representative Travis Grantham used term ‘coloured people’ during clash
- The Telegraph
David Cameron wrote to Bank of England repeatedly over Greensill after Treasury rebuffed him
Boris Johnson told to change phone number amid access concerns EU preparing legal case against AstraZeneca over vaccine shortfalls Nicola Sturgeon's hopes of SNP Holyrood majority on a knife edge Covid passports to be available for summer holidays Tackling climate crisis is not a 'politically correct act of bunny hugging', Boris Johnson declares Coronavirus latest news: AstraZeneca blood clot risk doubles, data show, but benefits 'still outweigh risks' Subscribe to The Telegraph for a month-long free trial David Cameron wrote to the deputy governor of the Bank of England "to ask for your help" with Greensill Capital, after failing to get anywhere with the Treasury, documents released moments ago show. The former prime minister made multiple representations to Sir Jon Cunliffe, beginning in March 2020, as part of his work for the now-collapsed financial firm, according to 24 pages of documents released by the BoE. On April 3 2020 Mr Cameron wrote: "The request is simple - please include in the CCFF [Covid Corporate Finance Facility] the ability to purchase bonds issued in respect of supply chain finance." Mr Cameron claimed this would allow Greensill to "pump billions" into small firms, including every pharmacy working with the NHS. As his efforts failed to make progress, Mr Cameron wrote on April 22 2020, telling Sir Jon it was "incredibly frustrating". This morning MPs heard that Mr Cameron was part of "persistent" lobbying efforts made by the financial firm, which resulted in Treasury officials refusing "time after time" to do so. Sir Tom Scholar, the Treasury's permanent secretary, told the Public Accounts Committee: "We were approached quite persistently by this company and we listened to their proposals... but we decided to reject them all. " Mr Cameron's own involvement was "very limited engagement, over probably two weeks", the mandarin added.
- The Independent
Sotomayor gives blistering dissent to Trump SCOTUS appointees who find juvenile not worthy of parole
Justice calls ruling ‘an abrupt break from precedent’
- The Independent
Stacey Abrams goes viral for obliterating GOP lawmaker with explanation of Georgia voting law
‘Do. Not. Come. For. Stacey. Abrams.’
- Charlotte Observer
Cop who fatally shot teen in Tennessee school bathroom won’t face charges, official says
Anthony Thompson Jr., 17, died during a confrontation with police.
- The Independent
What happened to the other officers arrested over George Floyd death?
Three former police officers who responded to George Floyd call now face trial in August
- Reuters
U.S. general concerned about capability of Afghan security forces
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of U.S. forces in the Middle East said on Thursday that he was concerned about the ability of the Afghan security forces to hold territory after the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country in the coming months. President Joe Biden announced last week that the United States will withdraw its remaining 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the al Qaeda attacks that triggered America's longest war. "My concern is the ability of the Afghan military to hold the ground that they're on now without the support that they've been used to for many years," Marine General Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
- The State
Cop who fatally shot teen in Tennessee school bathroom won’t face charges, official says
Anthony Thompson Jr., 17, died during a confrontation with police.
- INSIDER
Celebrities, activists, and politicians respond to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict in George Floyd case
It didn't take long for public figures to take to Twitter to share their reactions to Chavin's guilty verdict.
- The Independent
Capitol riot suspect arrested after FBI use face recognition on girlfriend’s Instagram
Authorities allege Stephen Chase Randolph assaulted a Capitol police officer
- The Independent
Transgender girl gets death threats after asking Texas lawmakers to defend her rights
Mother of boy who testified at hearing forced to ‘file a police report’
- The State
Governor wants SC to plant 3 million pine trees to fight flooding. Will it work?
Common pine tree touted as a way to control flooding in South Carolina.
- Time
Netflix's Pensive Stowaway Tangles with Issues of Morality, and Selfhood, in Space
The space drama starring Toni Collette, Anna Kendrick and Daniel Dae Kim is sometimes boring, but still builds a mood of dread and contemplative ennui
- Architectural Digest
No Need to Mess Up Your Bed: These Are the Best Hammocks for Napping
Plus, Sunnydaze designed this hammock with easy assembly in mind, so even if you don't fancy yourself a craftsperson, you won’t struggle with the suspension system. Grab it from Amazon and hang it just in time for spring weather.
- Charlotte Observer
Here’s what you need to know about getting a COVID vaccine at your favorite brewery
NoDa Brewing Company is offering free beer vouchers to people (over the age of 21, of course) who get their COVID-19 vaccine onsite Thursday night.
- The Independent
Chauvin wrote attorney’s number on hand in case of guilty verdict, report says
Judge revokes Chauvin’s bail and he will remain in police custody until his sentencing, which is scheduled for June.
- The Week
D.C. statehood bill passes in the House, but faces 'formidable' odds in the Senate
A bill that would make Washington, D.C. the 51st U.S. state is headed to the Senate for what's expected to be a "historic showdown." The House of Representatives voted 216-208 along party lines on Thursday to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act to create the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, The Washington Post reports. A D.C. statehood bill was previously passed last year only for it to die in the Senate, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said "we hope that the momentum will help it pass in the Senate" this time, also calling the vote a "significant step to enfranchise the people of D.C. and empower them to participate fully in our democracy," per The New York Times. The head of Howard University's political science department, Ravi Perry, also told The Associated Press there's "been a major sea change" on the issue, as "people have started to see D.C. statehood as the racial justice issue that it is." In the Senate, though, "the political odds remain formidable," the Post writes, noting that the Senate filibuster will require support from 60 senators and not every Democrat in the Senate has actually gotten behind the legislation. Republicans have also expressed opposition to the bill, which would create two Senate seats. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told supporters last year that "with two more liberal senators, we cannot undo the damage they've done." But Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, who introduced the bill, told the Post that with "this Congress, with Democrats controlling the House, the Senate and the White House, D.C. statehood is within reach for the first time in history." More stories from theweek.comJoe Manchin lives on a boat in Washington — and protesters are reportedly headed there7 cartoons about Derek Chauvin being found guiltyWhat if COVID-19 had been COVID-99?
- USA TODAY
Spring cleaning essentials are majorly marked down right now—get vacuums and more on sale
Spring cleaning essentials, such as vacuums and carpet cleaners, are seriously discounted right now—shop the best deals on these tools.
- The Independent
‘Statehood is in my DNA’: Pelosi points to father’s legacy in defence of DC vote
House votes for second time to make DC nation’s 51st state, setting up historic Senate debate
- The State
Critics get last chance to stop wine giant from opening SC tasting rooms
Would a Chester County wine manufacturing site “destroy” small wineries in South Carolina? Opponents and proponents are speaking out to lawmakers. Here’s more.