News
Trump Shooting: Biden Calls For Ban Of Gun Used In Failed Assassination Attempt
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
US President, Joe Biden has renewed a call for Congress to ban assault rifles, including the model that was used in the failed assassination attempt on
“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,” Mr Biden told the audience at a convention in Las Vegas.
His demand came as he returned to the campaign trail for the first time since the attack.
For several days following the shooting, the Biden campaign had been on pause.
Verbal attacks had been halted, television ads pulled and a message of unity was pushed by many prominent Democrats.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Biden continued in that vein, lamenting how “heated” politics has become.
But later in his speech, an address to the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a prominent civil rights group, he went on to roundly criticise Trump.
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,” he said.
“Let me say it again because Trump is lying like hell about it,” he told the conference hall of primarily black voters.
“Black unemployment hit a record low under the Biden-Harris administration,” the president added.
Statistics show that his government reached a record low unemployment rate for Black or African Americans in 2023, at 4.8%.
Gun rights are an issue Mr Biden has frequently campaigned on.
In 1994, he was instrumental in passing an assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004.
He referenced that legislation during his speech, saying “I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again“.
In 2022, during his first term as president, Mr Biden signed into law the most significant gun safety legislation in more than two decades, which included enhanced background checks for gun buyers and other protections.
But he has repeatedly come up against strong opposition from Republicans to an assault weapons ban.
The president’s return to the campaign trail came as the Republican National Convention (RNC) closed out its second day on Tuesday, with a line-up of speakers – including former presidential nominee rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis – roundly uniting behind Trump.
At a side event hosted by the gun rights group, US Concealed Carry Association, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign said Donald Trump would safeguard gun rights by appointing pro-gun judges if he is elected in November.
“We’ll see a continuation of supporting and defending the Second Amendment, and really where that comes into play is the judiciary,” Chris LaCivita told attendees, according to Reuters news agency.
Donald Trump has already said that he would unravel all of Mr Biden’s new gun rules if elected in November, a stance that shows no sign of changing even following Saturday’s attempt on his life.
Authorities are yet to land on the motive of gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was able to shoot at Trump after climbing onto the roof of a building 130m (426ft) from where he was speaking.
An independent review of the Secret Service’s handling of the shooting is underway and Republican leaders in Congress have also announced an investigation.
Recall that On July 13, a gunman identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, clipping the former president in his right ear
The AR-15 used in the shooting had been purchased legally by Crooks’ father six months earlier.
In Pennsylvania, shotguns and rifles, including the AR-15, can be purchased at age 18, while the minimum age to purchase handguns is 21.
News
Ecuador Midfielder Dies At 22 After Car Crash
Ecuador international, Marco Angulo has died at the age of 22 a month after being seriously injured in a car crash, his club has announced.
The LDU Quito midfielder had been in hospital since the incident on 7 October in the south of Ecuador’s capital Quito.
Reports in Ecuador, external said he underwent several operations and spent over a week in intensive care, before passing away on Monday night.
“With deep sorrow and sadness, we regret to have to inform you of the death of our dear player Marco Angulo,” LDU Quito, who plays in Ecuador’s top flight, said in a statement on Tuesday morning.
“We convey our condolences to his family and his loved ones.
“His passing is an irreparable loss which will leave an indelible mark in our hearts.”
Angulo’s parent club, Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati, said they were “heartbroken to share” news of his death.
After a single season in the United States, Angulo joined LDU Quito on loan with an option to buy in March 2024.
Angulo made 16 appearances for the club. His last appearance came on 6 October – a day before the car crash.
He made his debut for Ecuador in November 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 0-0 draw against Iraq, and earned three caps for his country.
“The Ecuadorian Football Association expresses its deepest sympathy over the death of Marco Angulo,” a statement from the governing body read.
“Marco was not only an outstanding player but also a great team-mate. He leaves a deep sorrow in our hearts, especially in those of us who went with him on countless trips, and to training camps and matches.
“Rest in peace, Angulito.”
According to Ecuadorian reports, Independiente del Valle footballer Roberto Cabezas and a friend, Victor Carcopa, also died in the accident.
There were two other passengers in the car at the time. Their condition is unknown.
News
Many hospitalised as thugs attack PDP supporters in Ondo
At least six persons were attacked when suspected armed thugs attacked the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The violent attack on the opposition party members is coming two days before the weekend governorship election.
A chieftain of the party in the state, Adeyemi Fasoranti, named one of the victims, Olowoniyi Akinleminu, as a popular politician in the town.
Mr Fasoranti said other victims were taken to the intensive care unit of the State Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
Explaining the attack, Mr Olowoniyi said the thugs unleashed terror on the people because of the success of the party’s rally in the local government.
Another PDP chieftain, Bosede Salami, revealed that many of the opposition party members had been threatened by the suspected political thugs and cultists invited by political gladiators.
Confirming the incident, the state commissioner of police, Oladipo Abayomi, has directed the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.
Mr Abayomi, in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said a peace meeting of the leaders of the major political parties in the town had been convened.
“The case, which has escalated into violence and attempted murder, is currently under investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that peace is restored in the area, particularly at such a critical juncture in the state’s history.
“The CP has made it clear that the command will exercise zero tolerance towards any individual or group, whether directly or indirectly involved, who engages in or permits actions that could disrupt the peace before, during, or after the election.
“He calls on parents, community leaders, and influential figures to warn their followers, children, and loved ones to avoid any form of disruptive behaviour during this period,” the statement.
News
JUST IN: Govt Declares Friday As Public Holiday
The Ondo State Government has declared Friday as public holiday to enable civil servants and others to travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday evening signed by O.F Ayodele, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of service.
The statement reads, “The 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
“To this end, the Ondo State Government has declared Friday, 15th November, 2024 as Work-Free Day for Public Servants in the State to enable them travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
“All Accounting Officers are to note the content of this Circular and disseminate same to all staff of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
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