World
William Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan presidential election
William Lai Ching-te has been declared the winner of the Taiwan presidential election.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate defeated Hou Yu-ih of the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party to win the poll on Saturday.
According to results from Taiwan’s central election committee, Lai Ching-te won the election with 41 percent of the popular vote while his two main rivals trailed with 33 percent and 26 percent, respectively.
Results from only 98 percent of polling stations across the country were revealed when the victory was given, and opponents conceded defeat.
Speaking on his victory, Lai Ching-te expressed gratitude to Taiwan citizens for voting for him.
“I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy. We have shown the world how much we cherish our democracy. This is our unwavering commitment,” he said.
“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy. The Republic of China, Taiwan will continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world.”
Lai Ching-te, the vice president in the incumbent administration, had promised to continue DPP’s push for Taiwan as a de facto independent state from China, and the manifesto resonated with most of the country’s citizens.
In the buildup to the election, China had warned Taiwan’s voters to “make the right choice” and “recognize the extreme danger of Lai Ching-te’s triggering of cross-strait confrontation and conflict.”
Although Taiwan had gained de facto independence since the 1940s, China still claims the island and its outlying territories.
Beijing has failed to rule out the use of force to exert its influence on the island nation.
Lai Ching-te’s victory is the third consecutive term for DPP as the leading party in Taiwan. Tsai Ing-wen won the initial two elections for the party but could not participate in Saturday’s poll due to term limits.
World
Possible assassination attempt on Trump deeply disturbing, says Kamala Harris
US Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the shooting that took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sunday.
Donald Trump was playing golf in the vicinity as the gunshots rang out.
The Secret Service ferried Trump to safety and said it is investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said an “apparent assassination attempt” on Trump was thwarted, with a man arrested and an assault rifle recovered.
Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach county sheriff, said a Secret Service agent who was patrolling the course, spotted a rifle barrel emerging from a perimeter fence.
“He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” Bradshaw said.
It is unclear if the suspect shot first, fired a round at all, or whether it was only the agent that fired.
“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” Rafael Barros, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, said.
SUSPECT NAMED
The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. He was arrested after his car was stopped by local police.
Skynews reports that officers later searched the area where Routh was spotted and found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two rucksacks and a GoPro.
The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Harris had been briefed and that they were “relieved” to learn of Trump’s safety.
In a separate statement, the Democratic Party presidential nominee said she was “deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt” on the former president.
“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” she said.
“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.
“As President Biden said, our administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission.”
Biden said the suspect was in custody and commended the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and efforts to keep Trump safe.
The incident comes about two months after the former president survived an assassination attempt during a rally.
The bullet grazed Trump’s ear.
World
First all-civillian space team returns to earth after historic mission
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew has returned to earth after five days in orbit.
The US team was led by Jared Issacman, a billionaire, alongside Sarah Gillis of Space X, Anna Menon, and Kidd Poteet.
The historic mission saw the team reach the highest altitude than any other human in five decades. It also marked the first time such an endeavor has been completed by a privately funded and operated mission.
An event live streamed by SpaceX showed the Dragon capsule land off the coast of Florida on Sunday morning.
“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX said on X
Returning to earth is among the most dangerous stretches of any space mission.
On its orbit back, the spacecraft reached extremely hot temperatures as it seared through the thickest parts of earth’s atmosphere because of the pressure and friction caused by hitting the air while still traveling around 17,000 miles per hour.
However, the crew was protected by the Dragon’s heat shield.
The spacecraft eventually landed in water before waiting rescue crews hauled it out of the ocean and onto a special boat known as the Dragon’s nest.
Final safety checks took place there before the crew disembarked from the capsule and began the journey back to dry land.
The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the mission represented “a giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry.
World
Gunshots fired in Donald Trump’s vicinity at golf course
Gunshots have been fired in the vicinity of former United States President, Donald Trump, his campaign has said on Sunday.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,”Steven Cheung, his campaign spokesman said in a short statement.
According to the New York Post, two people exchanged gunfire outside the former president’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The outlet reported the gunfine was not “targeting Trump”.
Trump was golfing at the resort on Sunday, which is a short distance from his main residence, Mar-a-Lago, according to US media outlets.
It comes just two months after an assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate.
Gunman, Thomas Crooks, fired multiple shots at Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. One bullet grazed the ex-president’s ear.
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Like Tems, Ayra Starr says she has ‘never fallen in love’
-
Entertainment1 week ago
Davido, Lojay, Tyla make Billboard’s ‘Honour Roll’ for chart-topping songs
-
Education3 days ago
Lagos state government increases boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term
-
Crime1 week ago
Two traffic robbers disguised as keke riders arrested in Lagos
-
Politics1 week ago
Presidential ticket of LP no longer reserved for Obi, says Abure faction
-
News1 week ago
Change of name, age declaration… federal high court begins online affidavit process
-
Sports1 week ago
Ex-boyfriend who set Uganda’s Cheptegei on fire dies from burns
-
Celebrities6 days ago
Super Bowl: Nicki Minaj, Birdman slam Jay-Z for picking Kendrick over Lil Wayne