
DeSantis defends Florida curriculum that suggests slaves benefited from forced labour
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defended a hard-right school curriculum that went into effect in his state this week while on the campaign trail for the Republican presidential nomination. At an event in Utah, Governor DeSantis defended how slavery will now be taught in Florida middle schools. Children will now be taught that enslaved persons picked up skills that they later “parlayed” into profitable crafts after slavery was abolished. “They’re probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life,” Mr DeSantis told reporters on Friday. However at the same press conference, the GOP candidate also appeared to back away from the specific assertions of the teachings, saying of the curriculum: “I didn’t do it. I wasn’t involved in it.” He went on to say that the curriculum was “rooted in whatever is factual”. “It was not anything that was done politically,” he added. The Florida governor’s hard-right record will likely be a key talking point on the 2024 campaign trail - potentially presenting both a boon for Mr DeSantis in the GOP primary but also a challenge as he seeks to woo moderates in a general election. Florida Department of Education’s social studies standards for the 2023-2024 school year provide lesson topics for teachers including a “benchmark clarification” which instructs educators to teach students that “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit”. It isn’t clear what “their personal benefit” would be in this scenario. The line is included as part of a broader lesson entitled: “Examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agriculturalwork, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation).” The majority of polling puts Mr DeSantis second in the crowded GOP primary field, though he trails former president Donald Trump by a wide margin and faces a number of rivals closing in on his position including Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. Read More Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teen lynched in Mississippi Southern California school board OKs curriculum after Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened a $1.5M fine Florida man pleads guilty over Jan 6 riot as state’s governor Ron DeSantis insists there was no insurrection Trump outstrips nearest Republican rival DeSantis by 30 points in latest poll - live Biden will establish a national monument honoring Emmett Till, the Black teen lynched in Mississippi Southern California school board OKs curriculum after Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened a $1.5M fine
2023-07-24 01:52

Customs officials seize cheese wheels filled with cocaine at Texas border
When customs officials encountered a pickup truck transporting four large wheels of cheese from Mexico into the Presidio Port of entry in Texas Thursday, they had a hunch something was off.
2023-07-24 01:16

Pelosi says McCarthy is 'playing politics' with impeachment expungement
Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was "playing politics" with the idea of expunging former President Donald Trump's two impeachments.
2023-07-24 00:24

Douala building: Shock as collapse kills 12 in Cameroon
Rescuers will make sure no-one is left beneath the rubble, vows a top official in the city of Douala.
2023-07-23 23:51

Cambodia election: 'This was more of a coronation than an election'
Prime Minister Hun Sen's son is expected to take over within weeks of the vote.
2023-07-23 23:51

Trump news - live: Former president outstrips nearest Republican rival DeSantis by 30 points in latest poll
Donald Trump will face trial for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case on 20 May 2024, just six months before the presidential election. Judge Aileen Cannon gave the order on Friday morning. Meanwhile, the former president has been busy bullying his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, including Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson, on Truth Social as he braces for an imminent grand jury indictment over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in inciting the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021. Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that he had been sent a letter by special prosecutor Jack Smith informing him that he is the “target” of the investigation, citing three statutes under which he could be charged, including conspiracy to commit offence or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant. That indictment, Mr Trump’s third in four months, could be handed down any day now, The Independent learned. Meanwhile, the latest attorney to join Mr Trump’s legal team says he wants cameras in court when the former president is potentially put on trial over his alleged election interference. Read More What Donald Trump’s trial date means for the 2024 election Trump demands cameras in courtroom for potential election fraud case Trump legal team tries again to block Georgia election interference grand jury probe Trump calls for ‘immediate’ death penalty for child traffickers after watching QAnon-linked movie
2023-07-23 23:20

MLB Rumors: Cardinals surprise trade, Braves-Ohtani package, Yankees-Royals trade
MLB Rumors: Yankees could target Royals C Salvador Perez trade to replace TrevinoIn yet another back-breaking blow for the New York Yankees, catcher Jose Trevino was ruled out for the season this past week, leaving the club who is tied for last place in the AL East with the rival Red Sox potential...
2023-07-23 23:15

Newcastle confirm signing of Harvey Barnes from Leicester
Newcastle United have completed the signing of Harvey Barnes from Leicester City for a £38m fee.
2023-07-23 22:15

Open Championship weather: Temperature, more for Royal Liverpool on Sunday
Breaking down the Open Championship weather, temperature, rain, winds and more for Royal Liverpool in England on Sunday for the final round.Brian Harman came into the second Sunday at a major championship in his career as the 54-hole leader, this time trying to win his first major title at The O...
2023-07-23 21:52

Bain to buy 90% stake in Adani Capital and Adani Housing
U.S.-based investment firm Bain capital said on Sunday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 90%
2023-07-23 21:51

Why Tim Scott may be one to watch in the GOP presidential race
Can the nice guy finish first?
2023-07-23 20:25

Rhodes fires: Scots tourists sleep on street as blazes spread
One couple from Kilmarnock had to sleep on a mattress in the street after hotels on the Greek island were evacuated.
2023-07-23 19:29