
Ron DeSantis called out for ‘ignoring’ Hollywood beach shooting: ‘He doesn’t care’
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced criticism on Tuesday for failing to issue a statement about the mass shooting in Hollywood, Florida that left nine people, including four children, injured. Mr DeSantis, who announced his campaign for US president last week, made no mention of the victims or event on his social media nearly a day after the shooting. Five adults and four children, including a one-year-old, suffered gunshot wounds after two groups of people engaged in gunfire at the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on Monday. The shooting is one of over 260 to occur in the US so far this year. It comes just one month after Mr DeSantis signed legislation that will loosen restrictions on concealed carry on 1 July. The Independent has reached out to Mr DeSantis for comment. Florida Senator, and former governor, Rick Scott tweeted that he was “heartbroken and angry to see this senseless violence” and indicated he would monitor the situation. Representatives Maxwell Frost, Lois Frankel, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and Frederica Wilson all acknowledged the shooting on their social media pages. California Governor Gavin Newsom called out Mr DeSantis on Twitter for passing the legislation and contributing to “this kind of senseless violence.” “Until our leaders have the courage to stop bowing down to the NRA and enact common-sense gun safety this kind of senseless violence will continue,” Mr Newsom wrote. Mr DeSantis’ press secretary Jeremy Redfern replied to Mr Newsom “Hi Gavin, How does a law that doesn’t take effect until July 1st change this outcome?” Besides Mr Redfern’s response to Mr Newsom’s tweet, Mr DeSantis’ office had not issued a statement about the shooting leading to some criticsm on Twitter. “9 people were shot in Hollywood, Florida and it sure as hell wasn’t by Drag Queens,” one Twitter user said. A Twitter user named David tweeted: “I kind of appreciate Ron DeSantis not even bothering to offer thoughts and prayers to victims of the mass shooting in Hollywood Beach last night. He doesn’t care. It’s more honest.” “So is Governor DeSantis going to pretend that a mass shooting didn’t happen in his state so that he can have his rally in Iowa? Has he even made a public statement about the shooting yet?” Another Twitter user wrote. One Twitter user asked: “Does Ron DeSantis even offer thoughts and prayers when his state has another mass shooting or is it just another Monday in Florida?” Six of the nine shooting victims remained in the hospital on Tuesday, while three had been treated and discharged. Hollywood Police said they arrested two people but were still looking for three persons of interest connected to the shooting. Read More Hollywood beach shooting – live: Photos show suspects on the run after nine shot on Florida boardwalk One-year-old among nine people wounded in Memorial Day mass shooting at Florida beach boardwalk A sunny Memorial Day at the beach upended by gunfire: What we know about the shooting in Hollywood, Florida
2023-05-31 06:45

It’s Grilling Season, Which Means It’s Also Clean-Your-Grill Season—Here Are the Best Ways To Do It
Charred gunk on your grill can inhibit performance and lead to a bummer of a burger. Here’s how to fix it.
2023-05-31 06:25

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' wife Allison Holker Boss celebrates their daughter Weslie's 15th birthday
'I always say you are my wise owl, you have a stunning old soul that has a beautiful grasp of life and the world,' wrote Allison Holker Boss
2023-05-31 06:25

Church associate arrested in death of pastor, councilwoman gunned down outside her New Jersey home
New Jersey prosecutors say they have arrested a church affiliate from Virginia on murder and gun charges in the February killing of a local councilwoman who was found fatally shot in her SUV outside her home
2023-05-31 06:24

Who is Robert Bowers: Alleged antisemite on trial for Tree of Life synagogue shooting
On 27, October, 2018, Robert Bowers, then 46, allegedly walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began shooting at worshippers. He allegedly killed 11 people before he was shot and wounded and surrendered to police. Mr Bowers now faces 63 federal counts, including 11 counts each of obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death as well as hate crimes resulting in death. He could face the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. Nearly five years have passed since the shooting, but Mr Bowers' trial is only now kicking off in earnest. The trial began on Tuesday and is expected to last until late July. In the months leading up the shooting, Mr Bowers was allegedly spewing bigoted and antisemitic vitriol online, investigators say. He allegedly called immigrants "invaders" and posted racist memes, including some that accused Jewish people of being the "enemy of white people." On the day of the shooting he reportedly posted a message to a web forum, saying "I can't stand by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I'm going in." He then allegedly proceeded to murder 11 people at the synagogue. After his arrest, police learned that Mr Bowers had 21 weapons registered to his name. He was otherwise unknown to law enforcement. They then began to review Mr Bowers' online presence, finding an account on Gab — a supposedly free speech oriented, right wing social media alternative to the likes of Twitter — where he allegedly posted a steady slew of hate. His bio included the phrase "Jews are the children of Satan" and his posts consisted of anti-Jewish slurs and conspiracy theories, according to the New York Times. The conspiracy theories included allegations that Jewish people were smuggling Muslims into the US, and another showing an image of the Auschwitz concentration camp, with the photo doctored to make its infamous gate read "Lies Make Money." Days before the shooting he called then-president Donald Trump a "globalist" — often a term carrying antisemitic implications — and said "there is no #MAGA as long as there is a k*** infestation." The omitted word is a racial slur used against Jewish people. Police claim that after being shot and wounded at the synagogue, Mr Bowers said: “These people are committing genocide on my people. I just want to kill Jews.” His defence attempted to have that quotation barred from consideration at his trial, arguing he made the statement before he was read his Miranda warning. A judge denied the motion. The alleged gunman worked as a trucker before the shooting. Prosecutors are arguing that hate drove Mr Bowers' alleged attack on the synagogue. “The depths of the defendant’s malice and hate can only be proven in the broken bodies” of those killed, and through “his hateful words,” Assistant US Attorney Soo C Song said during her opening statement. Prosecutors claimed in an earlier filing that Mr Bowers allegedly “harbored deep, murderous animosity towards all Jewish people.” The defence — after unsuccessfully arguing against the use of Mr Bowers' statements to police and for a change of venue — have filed a notice of mental infirmity again his potential sentencing, according to court records. They claim Mr Bowers has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and epilepsy. His attorneys have also offered a plea deal in exchange for the removal of the death penalty. Read More Gab: Inside the social network where alleged Pittsburgh synagogue shooter posted final message Synagogue shooter 'listened to noise and noise told him his people were being slaughtered', says Jewish doctor who spoke to Robert Bowers Trial for accused gunman in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre slated to start
2023-05-31 06:20

North Korea launches space satellite, alerts sound in S.Korea, Japan
SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) -North Korea launched what it called a space satellite toward the south on Wednesday, South Korea's military said,
2023-05-31 06:20

Ukraine says it's working with BAE to set up weapons production facility
Ukraine is working with major British defense company BAE Systems to set up a Ukrainian base to both
2023-05-31 06:19

Phoenix becomes largest US city to successfully challenge 2020 census numbers
Phoenix has become the largest U.S. city to successfully challenge its population count from the 2020 census
2023-05-31 06:18

Djokovic draws criticism from Kosovo tennis federation for comments at French Open
Novak Djokovic has drawn criticism from Kosovo’s tennis federation — but not from French Open organizers — after offering his thoughts on clashes in northern Kosovo between ethnic Serbs and police and NATO peacekeepers
2023-05-31 06:17

Pep Guardiola wins Premier League Manager of the Season award for fourth time
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named the Premier League Manager of the Season for 2022/23. This is the fourth time that he has won the award.
2023-05-31 05:59

Intel program's lapse would have 'significant costs for US diplomacy,' State Department official warns
There will be "significant costs for US diplomacy" if Congress doesn't renew a controversial intelligence program gathering communications data that is set to expire this year, a senior State Department official said Tuesday, adding that US diplomats have used the program to monitor Russian atrocities in Ukraine.
2023-05-31 05:59

New Zealand-UK free trade agreement to start benefiting exporters -NZ PM
By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON New Zealand companies will start to benefit from the country’s new free trade agreement
2023-05-31 05:59