Earth Day: Greta Thunberg testifies to US politicians on climate crisis
Donald Trump has sought to accuse LeBron James of making “racist” remarks, after the NBA star wrote a now-deleted social media post calling for accountability and justice after the fatal police shooting of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.
In a rambling statement, the former US president – notorious for using dog-whistles and slurs while seeking and holding office – lashed out at the sportsman’s “racist rants”, which he claimed were “divisive, nasty, insulting and demeaning”.
His verbal attack came after Mr James deleted a tweet about the Ohio killing which had captioned a picture of police officer Nicholas Rearden with the words “you’re next”. The Los Angeles Lakers star said that his post – written hours after Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year – had been “used to create more hate”.
Meanwhile, president Joe Biden is gearing up to host his Earth Day summit for a second day. He kickstarted proceedings on Thursday by unveiling a new pledge to cut US emissions in half by 2030, but climate activists with Extinction Rebellion remained unimpressed by his “bull****” plans, dumping cow manure near the White House in protest.
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LeBron James says tweet was ‘being used to create more hate’
Here’s LeBron James’s response to the backlash to his now-deleted tweet telling the police officer who fatally shot 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant: “You’re next”.
James wrote on Wednesday: “I’m so damn tired of seeing Black people killed by police. I took the tweet down because its being used to create more hate -This isn’t about one officer. it’s about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY.”
My colleague Akshita jain has the details in this report:
Andy Gregory23 April 2021 10:37
Trump accuses LeBron James of ‘racist rants’
Here’s the truly bizarre statement from Donald Trump attempting to label LeBron James’ past comments as “racist”.
“LeBron James should focus on basketball rather than presiding over the destruction of the NBA, which has just recorded the lowest television RATINGS, by far, in the long and distinguished history of the League,” the statement released by Mr Trump’s office said.
“His RACIST rants are divisive, nasty, insulting, and demeaning. He may be a great basketball player, but he is doing nothing to bring our Country together!”
The former president’s attack follows much Republican criticism of the NBA star’s now-deleted tweet this week.
Andy Gregory23 April 2021 10:24
US stages climate comeback after Trump but fails to elicit specific targets from largest polluters
Joe Biden will be hoping to build on yesterday’s momentum as he seeks to drive America’s comeback on the world stage and make his case for a green transformation of the US economy.
Our senior climate correspondent Louise Boyle has this report on what happened as world leaders convened virtually for the first day of Mr Biden’s summit.
Andy Gregory23 April 2021 10:17
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of US politics, as Joe Biden’s climate summit enters its second day.
Andy Gregory23 April 2021 10:10