Politics
Starmer cancels Sunak’s £40m helicopter contract
In a decisive move to signal a shift from previous practices, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has canceled a government helicopter contract estimated to be worth £40 million. This decision comes in response to widespread criticism of Sunak’s frequent use of helicopters and RAF jets for domestic travel during his tenure in No. 10.
The contract, which was set for renewal, has been scrapped by Downing Street in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The cancellation is intended to demonstrate a break with past administration policies, ahead of a key speech by the prime minister, where he plans to emphasize that it will not be “business as usual” when Parliament reconvenes next week.
Sunak’s reliance on helicopters for domestic flights came under scrutiny after a BBC investigation in 2023 revealed that he used these modes of transport more frequently than the three prime ministers before him.
A Labour source criticized the contract as the “Tories’ VIP helicopter service,” calling it a “grossly wasteful” example of a government “out of touch” with the country’s challenges. The source added, “It’s only right that this service is brought to an end,” and praised the move as a step towards “getting a grip of the public finances.”
The cancellation also follows comments from Conservative MP John Glen, who last month questioned whether the Labour government planned to reduce the number of domestic flights taken by ministers. In response, Cabinet Office Minister Ellie Reeves did not commit to reducing the number but assured that travel plans would be made with consideration for the best use of a minister’s time and the interests of the taxpayer.
In a related development, the government has restarted the recruitment process for a new national security adviser. Sunak had appointed General Gwyn Jenkins to replace Sir Tim Barrow in the role, but Downing Street has now decided to cancel the appointment and begin the search anew.
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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