Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
President Donald Trump raised the threat of pulling federal funds from the University of California at Berkeley on Thursday after the institution cancelled a talk by right wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos and put the campus on lock down after intense protests against the planned speech.
While Trump framed his early morning tweet around free speech and opposition to violent demonstrations, his critics are likely to interpret the message as indirect support for Yiannopoulos, a deeply polarising figure who portrays himself as a champion of open expression but whose detractors view as a hate-monger.
The US President has taken to Twitter, this time revealing his thoughts on Australia's refugee deal as PM Malcolm Turnbull assures us, the agreement is still in play. Courtesy 2GB.
A video showing a reporter being grabbed by security men and hustled away after asking a question of National Front leader and presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, is circulating on the Internet amid confusion over the circumstances of the incident.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, US President Donald Trump says he wants to "pray" for Arnold Schwarzenegger and his ratings on the show The Apprentice but 'The Terminator' bites back.
The White House put Iran "on notice" on Wednesday for test-firing a ballistic missile and said it was reviewing how to respond, taking an aggressive posture toward Tehran that could raise tensions in the region.
President Donald Trump has defended his "tough" approach to speaking with foreign leaders in his first public remarks since details of his phone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull became public.
A dramatic and dangerous stream of lava from Kilauea Volcano is pouring out of a sea cliff on Hawaii Island, splashing into the Pacific Ocean below and exploding upon impact.
The US President has taken to Twitter, this time revealing his thoughts on Australia's refugee deal as PM Malcolm Turnbull assures us, the agreement is still in play. Courtesy 2GB.
"If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view - NO FEDERAL FUNDS?" wrote Mr Trump.
Yiannopoulos also writes for the Breitbart website, whose founder, Stephen Bannon, is a key Trump adviser. Yiannopoulos has a large following as a self-proclaimed "free-speech fundamentalist" crusading against political correctness. He was banned from Twitter this summer after sending tweets targeting a black actress.
Some schools have cancelled or indefinitely postponed his appearances because they often generate such intense responses.
That leads some to argue that his speech is being censored. Others counter that universities aren't required to pay security and other expenses when students invite speakers.
Advertisement
With free speech an exceptionally volatile issue on campuses across the country - with debate over code words, safe spaces, implicit bias, microagressions, and free-speech - his events have become flash points.
His cross-country tour touched off intense opposition in Berkeley on Wednesday.
Protesters at Berkeley campus on Wednesday. Photo: AP
The Daily Californian, the student newspaper at Berkeley reported that protesters were chanting, "'No Milo, no Trump, no fascist USA,'" setting off fireworks, throwing rocks and bricks and pounding on windows. They reported that university police later used rubber bullets and tear gas in an attempt to calm the crowd.
"Amid violence, destruction of property and out of concern for public safety, the University of California Police Department determined that it was necessary to remove Milo Yiannopoulos from the campus and to cancel tonight's scheduled 8 pm performance," the university announced Wednesday night.