Monday, March 1 top news briefs

It is Monday, March 1. Here are today’s top stories.

The U.S. military dropped seven 500-pound bombs in Syria on Thursday. The area is on the border between Iraq and Syria. CBS News said the bombs destroyed nine buildings and killed one person. There was a report from another group that said 22 people were killed. The Pentagon said the buildings were used by Iranian-backed militias to smuggle weapons and materials into Iraq and that a few weeks ago, Iranian-made rockets were fired at a base in Iraq where U.S. troops are stationed, killing one U.S. military contractor. The bombing is the first under the Biden administration.

Former president Donald Trump gave his first public speech since leaving the White House on Sunday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando. Trump continued making false claims that the election was rigged and that he was supposed to win the election. People in the crowd, most not wearing masks, chanted, “You won. You won. You won.” Trump said the Supreme Court didn’t have the courage to act. It’s important to remind you all here that the Trump team tried to file over 60 lawsuits over allegations of election fraud, but all of them were dismissed or thrown out. Trump said he wants to run for the presidency again in 2024 and would run as a Republican and not start a third party. The speech fired up Trump supporters in the room and on social media with many very happy to see Trump in action again.

On Sunday in Myanmar, military forces opened fire into protesters into several cities who were objecting against the military takeover of the country last month. News reports said at least 18 peaceful protesters were killed and over 30 were injured. NPR said images on social media showed people running for cover as victims lay bleeding on the ground. Soldiers were heard warning protesters to go inside of their homes if they wanted to live.

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British Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has been in a London hospital for two weeks with an infection. It is not known what kind of infection it is. He was transferred today to a different hospital in London. He is 99 years old. Buckingham Palace said Philip is comfortable and responding to treatment but is expected to remain in the hospital until the end of the week.

Nicolas Sarkozy, who was the president of France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted of trying to bribe a magistrate (judge) to get confidential information about a criminal case involving himself taking illegal payments during his 2007 presidential campaign. He was sentenced to three years in jail, but had two of the years suspended and reports said he will be allowed to serve his year in home confinement. Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni, said it was an injustice and that the battle continues.

Johnson & Johnson started shipping out its Covid-19 vaccine today after the FDA authorized it for emergency use on Saturday. The company plans to send out 3.9 million doses in its first delivery. Its vaccine only requires one dose. The company said its vaccine is 85% effective at preventing severe illness and 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths 28 days after vaccination.

That’s all the top stories for today. Check out our other videos. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.

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