World
Pro-Trump rioters storm the US Capitol building, stopping the count of Electoral College votes

The heart of United States democracy, the US Capitol Building, was stormed by a mob of unruly pro-Trump protesters. Inside, the House of Representatives and the Senate were in the early stages of an unprecedented debate to certify the Electoral College votes that named Joe Biden as the winner of the Presidential vote held on November 3, 2020.
The protesters pushed through rows of steel barricades that had been used to protect the Capitol Building, early in the Washington DC afternoon. They then assembled on the steps of the building, on both sides, pushed through minimal opposition from Capital Building security, and entered the hallowed corridors of the building.
Security quickly cleared the assembled elected members to safe spaces underneath the building whilst some protesters roamed around the building, entering offices, even sitting in the chair of the House Speaker, as the uncontained disruption continued.
Senator Jeff Merkley sent out a Tweet showing the box containing the actual electoral ballots from the Senate floor. Merkley noted that Senate staff “rescued” the ballots before rioters entered the chamber.
“If our capable floor staff hadn’t grabbed them, they would have been burned by the mob.”
People from inside the building described the scenes saying that law enforcement and security “seemed to be outnumbered by the lawless mob”.
Outside, rioters continue to face off with law enforcement, kicking in windows and demanding entry into the building. One woman was shot inside the Capitol by security and has died after being rushed to hospital. A 24 year old man, climbing on scaffolding on the west side of the building, fell more than 10 metres. He was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Earlier in the day, President Trump addressed an orderly MAGA protest, but continued with his narrative of a “stolen election”, inciting the crowd to continue the fight.
As the storming of the Capitol ensued, members of the Republican Party, and President Trump’s leadership group, urged the President to publicly call upon the protesters to stand down. Initially, he remained silent.
Meanwhile, President Elect Joe Biden made a live appearance calling on the President to “step up”, saying the incident was a “dark moment in the nation’s history.”
“At this hour, our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we’ve seen in modern times.”
“Let me be very clear, the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect the true America.”
“This is not dissent, its disorder, it’s chaos and it borders on sedition and it must end now.”
An hour later President Donald Trump issued a taped video on his Twitter feed, where he again falsely claimed the election “was stolen from us” and that he won it in a “landslide,” but he did call on protesters at the US Capitol building to “go home now.”
He ended the minute-long speech saying to his supporters… “We love you. You’re very special.”
“We have to have peace. We have to have law and order. We have to respect our great people in law and order. We don’t want anybody hurt.”
As night fell on the Capitol Building, police moved rioters away from the west entrance shouting, “move back!” Chemical irritants and flash-bangs were used to help dispel the angry mob.
In the wake of the violence police reported that at least 13 people were arrested amid the siege by pro-Trump rioters. The Metropolitan Police Department noted that none of the arrests were of DC resident.
“All were from out of the area.”
The spokesperson said that several officers are being treated for injuries and authorities have confiscated several weapons as riots have unfolded outside the US Capitol.
Facebook condemned the violent riots at the US Capitol on Wednesday, but stopped short of saying President Trump would be blocked from the social media platform. But a video of an earlier speech, egging on the rioters, was removed from the social media platform.
PHOTO: A rioter makes himself at home in one of the member’s offices during the insurgency into the Capitol Building – Getty Images
As the rioters disperse the huddled members are speaking to media and posting on social media their intention to continue the process of validating the Electoral college votes although it is difficult to see that happening any time soon as security will need to fully search lockdown the entire building before proceedings can continue. Later it was revealed that congressional leaders were evacuated from the Capitol complex and taken to Fort McNair, a nearby army base.
Meanwhile, senior Republican members are now urging the 12 dissenting members, who initiated the debate on the Electoral College votes, to pull back from continuing their dissent and the debate, in light of the events that have rocked the citadel of American democracy.
Former US President George W. Bush released a statement condemning the storming of the US Capitol building this afternoon, describing it as “sickening” and “heartbreaking”.
President Trump’s initial homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, just one of many former officials, has condemned the response to the mob chaos.
“This is beyond wrong and illegal. It’s un-American. The President undermined American democracy baselessly for months. As a result, he’s culpable for this siege, and an utter disgrace.”
Huffington Post’s Igor Bobic photographed one of the mobsters sitting in the House chair.
President Trump later defended the actions of the unruly mob who stormed and vandalised the US Capitol.
“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away.”
“Remember this day forever!”
There is no doubt the reverberations of this astonishing day in US politics will be remembered forever.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Find more SE Asian News courtesy of The Thaiger.
Broke? Find employment in Southeast Asia with JobCute Thailand. Rich? Invest in real estate across Asia with FazWaz Property Group. Even book medical procedures worldwide with MyMediTravel, all powered by DB Ventures.

World
Mass Covid-19 immunisation in poor countries could take until 2024

While developed countries, like those in the European Union, are likely to vaccinate most of the population within the next year, most poor countries won’t be able to reach mass Covid-19 immunisation until 2024, according to an analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
84 of the world’s poorest countries will not receive enough vaccinations to reach herd immunity within the next year, according to the unit’s global forecasting director and author of the report, Agathe Demarais.
Agathe told the Guardian that disparity in vaccinations between the rich and poor countries will “define the global economy, the global political landscape, travel, pretty much everything.”
Poor countries may have poor medical infrastructure and few health workers that are trained to administer vaccines. Some countries may also have issues securing vaccine ingredients as well as production constraints and delays in delivery.
Countries with many people living in rural areas, like India and China, may also have problems reaching people in remote areas, according to Agathe.
SOURCE: Guardian
Catch up with the latest daily “Thailand News Today” here on The Thaiger.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
World
Moderna vaccine is proved ‘protective’ against Covid-19 variants

As fear over new variants of Covid-19 had prompted the travel restrictions to tighten worldwide, the United States biotech firm Moderna announced that its vaccine should protect against the variants identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Latest studies on the efficacy of Moderna vaccines confirmed that the vaccines are effective and protective against new variants. The company will continue more tests adding a second booster of its vaccine, bringing to 3 shots in a total.
“We are encouraged by these new data, which reinforce our confidence that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should be protective against these newly detected variants.”
Last month, a private hospital in Bangkok advertised pre-orders for the Moderna vaccine, which still needs approval from Thailand’s FDA. Thailand’s Department of Health Service Support demanded that the hospital remove the advertisements.
In the ads, the hospital was charging 4,000 baht for a booking of the vaccine. In the post the hospital said the vaccine would arrive in Thailand in October 2021. They also announced that the vaccine would cost 6,000-10,000 baht.
Health officials say private hospitals will be allowed to administer vaccines that are approved by the FDA. So far, the Thai government has only approved the AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use. The first batch of 50,000 doses are expected to arrive next month. Frontline health care workers and vulnerable groups in high risk areas will be first to receive the vaccine.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
World
Florida is ready to host Olympics if Tokyo draws back

If Tokyo backs out of hosting the Olympics, Florida might step in. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and rescheduled for this July. With a fairly unpredictable future, Tokyo could back out of its plan to host the Olympics. Florida’s chief financial officer says the Sunshine State is ready.
The CFO, Jimmy Patronis, sent a letter to the head of the International Olympic Committee saying he encourages him to consider relocating the games to Florida.
In a letter, he pointed out strong points of Florida that make it a good site for the games, including the state’s vaccination roll-out, reopening of businesses, and ongoing sports events hosted in the state during the pandemic. Tampa, Florida is also set to host the 55th Super Bowl on February 7.
“Whatever precautions are required let’s figure it out and get it done.”
Although businesses are open and sports events still going on, Florida is rated as the third state with the highest number of Covid-19 cases with a total of 1,658,169 reported cases and 25,446 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
“With media reports of leaders in Japan ‘privately’ concluding that they are too concerned about the pandemic for the 2021 Olympics to take place, there is still time to deploy a site selection team to Florida.”
But those planning the Tokyo games say they’re sticking with the plan to host the Olympics from July 23 until August 8. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also says he’s keeping to the plan.
“I am determined to realise a safe and secure Tokyo Games as proof that mankind will have overcome the virus.”
SOURCE:AFP
Catch up with the latest daily “Thailand News Today” here on The Thaiger.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Business1 day ago
The ‘office’ is SO last century. Say hello to the world of remote working.
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)4 days ago
Phuket wants Bangkok arrivals to skip quarantine to help tourism revenue
- North East4 days ago
Ring road collapses leaving at least 10 injured in Nakhon Ratchasima
- Crime4 days ago
Phuket national park officer fired over peeping Tom incident
- Crime3 days ago
2 shot dead at Phuket Bus Terminal Saturday night
- Business2 days ago
34.7% of Thai tourist businesses closed down
- Crime4 days ago
Border districts screening cars for smuggling illegal migrants
- Crime3 days ago
29 arrested in Pattaya for smoking shisha above Indian restaurant
John
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 6:46 am
Americans are tired of this evil corrupt government. It’s way past time to start hanging these tyrants.
gosport
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 8:04 am
Trump must stand, They are not rioters, they are patriots.
Bill Fischer
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 10:46 am
Trump lost, period. He’s a loser. If you still support him, you’re a loser. There exists no law in the US whereby a politician wins because he ‘feels’ like he won. Countless recounts, countless court cases all the way up to the Supreme Court and they all (even the majority conservative Supreme Court) said the exact same thing: you have NO EVIDENCE! Give it a rest, Cletus.
chupapi
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 8:41 am
Crazy useless people not able to accept the truth. Trumo and all of his family and acolytes shall be prosecuted, and all his supporters sought home by home and jailed.
herewego
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 8:43 am
I wish they focused the energy of today at Twitter and Google and other Lame-Stream media big tech headquarters also.
Buttaxe
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 9:15 am
4 years of Antifa and BLM Marxists murdering, burning down entire neighbourhoods, destroying businesses, looting, even attacking old people and diners, and not peep from Biden and the Dems. But this, THIS is apparently’a dark day’ LOL. The US is a corporatist banana republic. Time for smart Americans to secede and for new nations of like-minded people.
J West
Friday, January 8, 2021 at 12:34 pm
Nailed it.
Ben
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 11:34 am
Trump has been voted out of office and repudiated by the American people.
White supremicists and similar extremist groups are the main instigators behind todays illegal activity. They actually did America a favor today by:
1. Displaying what a bunch of thugs and losers they are for the whole world to see.
2. Exposing lax security at the Capitol complex which will now be corrected.
3. Making Trump extremely toxic and isolated.
4. Embarrassing politicians who support him (so they could have his base’s support) who have now repudiated todays illegal actions.
5. Ensuring he’ll never be elected to the Presidency again in the future.
6. Causing a permanent break with the VP and Senate Leader.
7. Putting targets on their backs when the next administration comes in.
These extremist people aren’t very smart. They’re looking for scapegoats to justify why they aren’t successful and accepted by society. Trump is using them to keep his power and doesn’t really care about them.
The vast majority of Americans are Americans first and not extremists. They ultimately believe in the democracy we’ve built and If the losers want to secede then good riddens. We don’t authoritarianism in America.
Gosport and Buttaxe – Did somebody move your cheese?
Issan John
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Agree with you entirely, Ben, but nevertheless 70 million Americans voted for him – not the majority he claims, like a spoilt, petulant child, but still a sizeable minority.
Ben
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 9:04 pm
Yes 70 million people voted for him but don’t confuse that with 70 million supporting his attempt to circumvent the democratic process and become a dictator. We’re not Venezuela.
Buttaxe
Friday, January 8, 2021 at 8:38 am
LOL, you can’t live with your 70 million opposition but you don’t want to live without them either.
Face it buddy you hate people who disagree with you, you hate Trump and his supporters, and this may be hard for you to grasp but they hate you too – for everything you stand for and the utter pseudo liberal CNN bullsh*t you spout. That’s the reality.
You do not speak for the ‘vast majority of Americans – you are delusional. The nation is terminally divided but you have neither the honesty nor the intellectual maturity to recognise that.
So it’s either civil war or separation. I vote separation, but I don’t think your ilk will allow peaceful separation so a bloody civil war it will be. And so it has been throughout history.
PS: Venezuela will be fine once the American economic jackboot is off its neck. It will outlast the US, as will Iran, Russia and China. Your time is over.
chupapi
Friday, January 8, 2021 at 8:58 am
you should think about a career as standup comedian. you sooo funny
Ben
Friday, January 8, 2021 at 9:59 am
You’re an idiot just like the ones that’ll be put in jail soon who accomplished nothing with the stunt they pulled yesterday. Your hero Trump has just abandoned you and said your buddies will pay for what they did yesterday. You’re so out of touch and a loser. A very unhappy and sad person. Pathetic.
James R
Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 9:45 pm
A lot of people are saying there was mass cheating going on in the election and when you ask them for the proof they don’t have any, same with Trump, he does not have any.
The most powerful man in the worlds with his CIA and other organisations, billions of dollars and he can’t produce any evidence?
Can you imagine going to court saying someone has stolen your car, but you have no proof, should people be found guilty with no proof, it is all madness.
It is like some nutters here who say it was our prime minister Boris who brought the virus into England, they are mad.
I liked trump a few years ago as I though he was a man of action for the Americans, now I can see he is just mentally ill.
I have no bias as I can not vote as I am not an American and do not live in America.
But I can have an opinion in England without someone wanting to shoot me.