Saturday, January 18

Politics

Survivors share chilling accounts of the Uvalde school shooting as community grapples with loss
Politics

Survivors share chilling accounts of the Uvalde school shooting as community grapples with loss

The devastating tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, has left the community in shock, with harrowing testimonies from survivors shedding light on the events of the fateful day. On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, entered the school and carried out a horrific attack, resulting in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. As details continue to emerge, two young survivors have shared their accounts of how they managed to survive the massacre. Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old student, recounted the terrifying moments when the shooter entered her classroom. Speaking to CNN, she described how Ramos immediately killed a teacher before turning his attention to the students. The chaos unfolded rapidly, and in an attempt to escape the attacker’s notice, Miah covered her...
Kamala Harris outpaces Donald Trump in fundraising efforts for the upcoming election
Politics

Kamala Harris outpaces Donald Trump in fundraising efforts for the upcoming election

In a significant move ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign reported an impressive fundraising haul in August, surpassing former President Donald Trump’s fundraising by a considerable margin. Harris, who officially launched her candidacy earlier this year, raised $361 million in just one month, a sum more than double what Trump’s campaign raised during the same period. This record-breaking amount came from nearly three million individual donors, highlighting the widespread support and enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy. In contrast, Trump’s campaign reported raising $130 million in August. Despite the strong figure, it fell far behind Harris’s fundraising total. By the end of the month, Harris’s campaign had accumulated a total of $404 milli...
Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing until after November election
Politics

Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing until after November election

In a significant legal development, a New York judge has decided to postpone the sentencing of former President Donald Trump until after the upcoming U.S. presidential election, originally scheduled for September 18. Trump, who is running for re-election as the Republican candidate, had requested this delay, citing the timing of the case in relation to his campaign. Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, confirmed on Friday that the sentencing will now take place on November 26, unless the case is dismissed earlier. Trump’s legal team had argued that there wouldn’t be sufficient time for them to challenge a potential ruling in the case before the sentencing, particularly given the pending decision on a motion regarding presidential immunity. The motion, tied to a landmark Supreme Cou...
US takes action against Russian interference in presidential elections
Politics

US takes action against Russian interference in presidential elections

On Wednesday, the U.S. government unveiled a series of measures aimed at countering Russian efforts to meddle in the upcoming presidential election. These actions include criminal charges against two employees of a Russian state-run media organization, RT, and the confiscation of several internet domains linked to Russian disinformation campaigns. This latest push represents the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of its elections from foreign interference, particularly from Russia, which U.S. officials have repeatedly identified as a primary threat. These developments come amid ongoing concerns about the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections, with the government taking proactive steps to address the issue. Despite these new actions, U.S. officials cont...
Democrats secure key gubernatorial victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin
Politics

Democrats secure key gubernatorial victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin

Democrats celebrated significant wins in gubernatorial races across the blue-wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on Tuesday, bolstering their ability to counter Republican-controlled legislatures on crucial issues such as abortion rights and election integrity. These victories highlight the ongoing importance of state-level leadership in shaping policy and preserving democratic norms. In Michigan and Wisconsin, Democratic governors Gretchen Whitmer and Tony Evers successfully secured re-election, while in Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro triumphed, succeeding outgoing Democratic Governor Tom Wolf. These three states, often referred to as the “blue wall,” played a pivotal role in President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory over Donald Trump, particularly as Republicans sought to ...
Biden calls for tighter gun control laws amid rising mass shootings
Politics

Biden calls for tighter gun control laws amid rising mass shootings

President Joe Biden has urged Congress to take decisive action on gun control, calling for stronger measures to address the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Biden asked lawmakers to prioritize legislation aimed at curbing access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. “How many more lives must be lost before we say enough is enough?” Biden implored during his remarks. He emphasized the need for immediate reforms, including raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21 and strengthening background checks. These proposals, according to Biden, are “reasonable measures” that could save lives. The debate over gun control reignited following the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde...
Uvalde mourns as funerals begin for victims of school shooting
Politics

Uvalde mourns as funerals begin for victims of school shooting

What should have been a week of joy as summer vacation began turned into a week of sorrow for the community of Uvalde, Texas. Instead of celebrating the end of the school year, residents are now mourning the tragic loss of 19 children and two teachers who were killed in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. On Tuesday, the town began the heartbreaking process of laying the victims to rest. A visitation was held for 10-year-old Amery Jo Garza at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home, located just across the street from Robb Elementary School, the site of the tragedy. Amery, one of the victims, had recently celebrated her 10th birthday and was described as a vibrant child who loved to draw. Her favorite color, purple, was worn by many mourners at the request of her father, Angel G...
U.S. schools heighten security after Uvalde shooting amid wave of threats
Politics

U.S. schools heighten security after Uvalde shooting amid wave of threats

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, schools across the United States are grappling with heightened fears of violence and a surge in copycat threats. The massacre, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers on May 24, has led to increased security measures, the deployment of additional police officers, and restrictions on campus access. For many families and educators, the measures are a grim reminder of the fraught state of school safety in the country. Jake Green, a 34-year-old father from Los Alamos, New Mexico, experienced this unease firsthand when he dropped off his 7-year-old daughter at school and noticed a plainclothes police officer standing nearby. Having grown up near Columbine, Colorado, where two students killed 12 classm...
President Biden visits Uvalde to grieve with families after school shooting
Politics

President Biden visits Uvalde to grieve with families after school shooting

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Uvalde, Texas, on Sunday to offer condolences to the grieving community devastated by the tragic school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The Bidens arrived mid-morning and spent the day meeting with victims’ families, survivors, and members of the community. Their visit included a stop at a memorial site honoring the victims and attendance at Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. This marks the second time in May that President Biden has traveled to the site of a mass shooting. Earlier this month, on May 17, he visited Buffalo, New York, where he met with the families of the victims of a racially motivated attack that left 10 Black people dead at a supermarket. A community in mourning In a statement relea...
Uvalde mourns as funerals begin for victims of elementary school shooting
Politics

Uvalde mourns as funerals begin for victims of elementary school shooting

The town of Uvalde, Texas, has been gripped by sorrow as funerals began Tuesday for the 21 victims of the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. On May 24, an 18-year-old gunman armed with an assault rifle stormed the school, killing 19 children and two teachers in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The first funerals were held for two 10-year-old girls, Amery Jo Garza and Mayte Yuleana Rodriguez. Amery, remembered as sweet, sassy, and full of life, loved swimming and drawing, according to her obituary. Mayte, described as a bright and dedicated student, was passionate about learning and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, inspired by her love for whales and dolphins. Additional funerals for the other victims are scheduled to take place over the coming we...