Karl Rove: There is plenty of evidence of massive border crossings under Biden admin
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Germany wants common sanctions policy with U.S. – foreign minister
Germany hopes that improved relations with the United States under U.S. President Joe Biden will open the door for possible joint sanctions against China and Russia over human rights and other abuses, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday. He said the trans-Atlantic partners should act together to defend their common interests and values and lamented the lack of coordinated action under former president Donald Trump. Trump’s presidency was marked by intense pressure on Germany over its failure to meet defence spending obligations as mandated by the NATO military alliance, Germany’s insistence on buying Russian natural gas, and trade policies.
Axios
Trump slams “RINOS and fools” in fresh appeal to donate to his PAC
Former President Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his demand that supporters donate to his PAC and not other Republicans, saying that doing so will help the “America First movement.”Why it matters: Trump asked supporters in an email Monday night to donate directly to his PAC — hours after the Republican National Committee rejected his demand to stop using his name and likeness to fund-raise.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.Trump remains popular among Republican voters and his name is seen as a key part of fundraising ahead of the 2022 midterms. But Trump is seeking to control the use of his name and image “as he aims to position himself as the undisputed leader of the GOP,” AP notes.Of note: RNC chair Ronna McDaniel stated earlier Monday that Trump personally approved the use of his name for fundraising.What he’s saying: Adding to his appeal to supporters on Monday to donate to his Save America PAC via his personal website, Trump said in a statement Tuesday that he fully supports the Republican Party “and important GOP Committees.”But he added that he doesn’t support “RINOS [Republican in name only] and fools, and it is not their right to use my likeness or image to raise fund” as “they do nothing but hurt the Republican Party and our great voting base — they will never lead us to Greatness.””So much money is being raised and completely wasted by people that do not have the GOP’s best interests in mind. … We will WIN, and we will WIN BIG! Our Country is being destroyed by the Democrats!”Editor’s note: This article has been updated with Trump’s latest comments.More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
Reuters
Exclusive: ‘Shoot till they are dead’: Some Myanmar police say fled to India after refusing orders
When Tha Peng was ordered to shoot at protesters with his submachine gun to disperse them in the Myanmar town of Khampat on Feb. 27, the police lance corporal said he refused. On March 1, he said he left his home and family behind in Khampat and travelled for three days, mostly at night to avoid detection, before crossing into India’s northeastern Mizoram state. “I had no choice,” Tha Peng told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday, speaking via a translator.
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Queen responds to Meghan and Harry’s tell-all
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday issued a short response to the explosive interview her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle gave to Oprah Winfrey in which they accused a royal family member of racism. In the statement, the Queen said (quote), “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.”[REPORTER, OFF CAMERA]: “Sir, can I ask, what did you think of the interview?” Her response came just hours after Harry’s father, Prince Charles, declined to comment on the interview during a visit to a London health clinic. Meghan and Harry’s tell-all with Oprah – watched by over 12 million viewers in Britain and more than 17 million in the U.S. – has triggered the biggest crisis for the royal family since the death of Harry’s mother Diana nearly 25 years ago. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson even did his best to tip-toe around the subject when asked to weigh in Monday: “I’ve spent a long time now not commenting on royal family matters and I don’t intend to depart from that today.” The brouhaha also appears to have cost at least one prominent British anchor his job, as ITV morning show host Piers Morgan quit Tuesday after Britain’s media regulator launched a probe into comments he made Monday in which he cast doubt on Meghan’s claim that she had suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie. Meghan, whose mother is Black and father is white, said Archie, who turns two in May, had been denied the title of prince because there were concerns within the royal family about (quote), “how dark his skin might be when he’s born.” She declined to say who had voiced such concerns, as did Harry. Winfrey later told CBS that Harry had said it was not the 94-year-old queen nor her 99-year-old husband Philip, who has been in the hospital for three weeks while the crisis unfolds.Meanwhile, a new photo of Harry and Meghan embracing Archie, his face hidden from view, was released Monday. The couple are expecting a second child, a girl, this summer.
Reuters
U.S. government to ship 18.5 million doses of COVID vaccine this week, White House says
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a news briefing that the U.S. government plans to distribute 15.8 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccine to states, tribes and territories, along with 2.7 million doses going to pharmacies. J&J’s manufacturing has been slower than expected, and the company was not expected to be able to deliver any doses of its vaccine this week.
Associated Press
Piers Morgan quits British TV program after Meghan comments
British television host Piers Morgan on Tuesday quit the “Good Morning Britain” program after making contentious comments about Meghan following her bombshell interview about the royal family. The U.K.’s media watchdog said earlier Tuesday that it was launching an investigation into the show under its harm and offense rules after receiving more than 41,000 complaints over Morgan’s comments about the Duchess of Sussex. Morgan’s departure was announced shortly after Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying allegations of racism made by Prince Harry and Meghan during an interview with Oprah Winfrey were “concerning.”
Reuters
Biden’s name will not appear on ‘memo line’ on stimulus checks: White House
President Joe Biden’s name will not appear on the memo line of stimulus checks that will be issued to most Americans following passage of his coronavirus aid bill, the White House said on Tuesday. Then-President Donald Trump had asked that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) put his name on the first round of stimulus checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said doing so was not a priority for Biden.
Time
How We Could Sleepwalk into a War with China
China and the United States today are on a collision course. No less an authority than Henry Kissinger said just over a year ago that the U.S. and China are in the “foot hills of a Cold War.” The two nations are significantly at odds over the status of the South China Sea, which China claims as territorial waters, potentially giving them control over rich oil and gas deposits and dominance over the 40% of the world’s trade that passes through these strategic seas.
Associated Press
Bucs franchise Godwin, agree to 2-year deal with David
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin and agreed to a two-year deal with linebacker Lavonte David, the first steps in what the Super Bowl champions hope will be a successful bid to keep a star-studded roster intact to help Tom Brady pursue an eighth NFL title. The 25-year-old Godwin earned $2.13 million in 2020 while ranking second to Mike Evans on the team with 65 receptions for 840 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
