Politics
Biden Renews Call for Assault Rifle Ban Following Attempted Shooting of Trump
In the wake of a recent failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has reiterated his call for Congress to ban assault rifles, including the AR-15 model used in the incident.
During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Trump narrowly escaped injury when a gunman, shooting from a nearby rooftop, grazed his ear with a bullet. In response, Biden addressed the nation, emphasizing the need for stricter gun control measures.
“An AR-15 was used in the shooting of Donald Trump. This was the assault weapon that killed so many others, including children. It’s time to outlaw them,” Biden declared at a convention in Las Vegas.
The shooting led to a temporary halt in Biden’s campaign activities, as his team paused verbal attacks, pulled television ads, and promoted a message of unity. Returning to the campaign trail, Biden acknowledged the heated nature of current politics but stressed the importance of truth and transparency. Speaking at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) convention, he remarked, “Just because our politics are very divided doesn’t mean we should stop telling the truth. Who you are, what you’ve done, what you will do – that’s fair game.”
Biden also highlighted the achievements of his administration, noting, “Black unemployment hit a record low under the Biden-Harris administration,” referring to the historic 4.8% unemployment rate for Black or African Americans in 2023.
Gun control has long been a focal point of Biden’s political agenda. He played a key role in passing the 1994 assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. Reflecting on that achievement, he stated, “I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again.” In 2022, Biden signed into law significant gun safety legislation, including enhanced background checks for gun buyers, marking the most substantial gun control measure in over two decades.
Despite these efforts, Biden has faced substantial opposition from Republicans regarding an assault weapons ban. Trump, who has consistently opposed Biden’s gun control measures, reaffirmed his stance even after the attempt on his life, promising to dismantle Biden’s gun rules if re-elected in November.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting by Thomas Matthew Crooks, who managed to fire at Trump from a building 130 meters away. An independent review of the Secret Service’s response to the incident is underway, and Republican leaders in Congress have announced their own investigation into the matter.
Politics
Sri Lanka swears in new left-leaning president
Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president, pledging to bring “clean” governance as the country continues to recover from its deepest economic crisis. The left-leaning leader, known for his stance against corruption, sees his election as a call for change and transparency in a country long troubled by political cronyism.
Dissanayake’s election follows the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022 after mass protests driven by economic hardships. In his inaugural address, the 55-year-old president emphasized the need for a new political culture that restores public trust. “We need to establish a new clean political culture,” he said, while committing to safeguard democracy.
His speech underscored the importance of unity, with representatives from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities attending the ceremony. Dissanayake promised good governance, economic reform, and a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, and IT development. He also pledged to uphold Sri Lanka’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aiming to reduce the burden of austerity on the country’s poorest citizens.
Dissanayake’s swearing-in was preceded by the resignation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, setting the stage for a parliamentary dissolution as the nation embarks on this new political chapter.
Politics
Okpebholo Secures Victory in Edo Governorship Election
Okpebholo Monday, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election after receiving 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Olumide Akpata, who finished third with 22,761 votes. Fourteen other candidates also contested but received fewer votes.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Returning Officer from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, officially declared Okpebholo the winner at 09:27 pm at the collation center in Benin City, Edo State’s capital, amidst applause from APC supporters.
Okpebholo’s victory was dominant in over 10 out of the state’s 18 local government areas, while Ighodalo achieved marginal wins in the remaining councils. The APC also claimed control in two of the three key senatorial districts in Edo State.
News
Suspect in Alleged Trump Assassination Attempt Faces Gun Charges
Ryan Routh, the suspect in the alleged assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, has been charged with federal gun crimes. During a brief court hearing in Palm Beach, the 58-year-old was charged with two offences: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years, and possession of a firearm with an obstructed serial number, punishable by up to five years.
Routh, dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit and with his hands cuffed, spoke to a public defender for several minutes before the hearing began. Initially displaying a calm demeanor with occasional smiles, he turned expressionless once the court proceedings got underway, responding to the judge’s questions with, “Yes, your honor.”
In a series of personal questions to assess his eligibility for a public defender, Routh revealed that he had “zero funds” in his bank account, made about $3,000 monthly, and owned two trucks in Hawaii, each valued at around $1,000.
Routh was brought into the courtroom just before 10:00 (14:00 GMT) and observed the scene, which included other defendants, press members, and attendees. After his brief hearing, he was escorted out as proceedings for other cases began.
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