Tyre Nichols: Kamala Harris and family members of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to attend funeral
US Vice President Kamala Harris and members of George Floyd’s family will be among those attending Tyre Nichols’ funeral in Memphis on Wednesday.
The White House announced the move ahead of the service at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Family members of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, who were both killed at the hands of police in the US in 2020, will also attend the father-of-one’s funeral.
Mr Nichols, 29, was savagely beaten by several Memphis Police officers who punched, kicked and hit him with a baton after he was pulled over in a traffic stop in Memphis on 7 January.
He died three days later in hospital.
Punched, kicked and tasered: Timeline of violent arrest of Tyre Nichols
So far five black police officers have been fired and charged with second-degree murder and other crimes over his death, while two other officers were suspended from duty.
Yesterday, Memphis Fire Department also confirmed it had fired three of its members after an investigation found Mr Nichols was left handcuffed on the ground without medical attention for nearly 15 minutes after the assault.
Disturbing bodycam footage from the altercation shows Mr Nichols screaming out for his mother as he was beaten by police.
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‘I didn’t do anything’, pleads Tyre Nichols
Protests have taken place across a number of cities in the US following the release of the footage and Mr Nichols’ family have said they will not stop fighting for justice.
On Tuesday, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said prosecutors could bring more criminal charges against police officers and others in connection with the fatal beating, following mounting criticism over the handling of the case.
The five officers who were sacked and charged are Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr and Justin Smith, who are aged between 24 and 32-years-old.
Protests have taken place across the US including in New York
No criminal charges have been filed against Preston Hemphill, a white police officer who was suspended from duty after the attack and was not present at the time of the fatal beating.
On body camera footage from the initial stop, Hemphill is heard saying that he had tasered Mr Nichols, declaring: “I hope they stomp his ass.”
Police said a seventh officer who was not immediately identified was also relieved of duty without pay and has not been charged. His role in the incident has not been disclosed.
The killing of Mr Nichols follows the death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 which led to mass protests in the US over police brutality.
Mr Floyd was killed after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes in Minneapolis, and Ms Taylor was fatally shot during a botched police raid in Louisville, Kentucky.
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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