National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG

Witness says he saw gunman on roof near Trump rally, pointed out shooter to police | 13 July 2024 | A man with a rifle was seen on a rooftop minutes before shots were fired at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, a witness has told the BBC. Greg Smith said the man had crawled on top of a building just outside the event in Butler County on Friday evening. He said he pointed the gunman out to police. “I’m thinking to myself, ‘Why is Trump still speaking, why have they not pulled him off the stage’…the next thing you know, five shots ring out.” The former president was immediately swarmed by Secret Service agents and escorted away. He was seen with blood on his face and later said a bullet had pierced his ear. The gunman was shot dead, officials later confirmed. Mr Smith told the BBC he saw Secret Service agents shoot the man…Mr Smith said he tried to alert the authorities for three to four minutes, but thought they probably could not see the gunman because of the slope of the roof. “Why is there not Secret Service on all of these roofs here?” he asked.

Trump rally shooting being investigated as attempt on his life as spectator killed –One spectator and suspected shooter both confirmed dead after incident at Pennsylvania campaign event | 13 July 2024 | Law enforcement agents were investigating what they suspected was an attempt to assassinate Donald Trump after a man with a rifle fired shots at him during a campaign rally on Saturday in Butler county, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service spokesperson, Anthony Gugliemi, said on X that “the former president [was] safe” following several shots, which prompted agents protecting Trump to leap on him amid the ensuing panic. Gugliemi said Secret Service agents then fatally shot the suspected attacker — who had fired toward Trump “from an elevated position outside of the rally venue,” Gugliemi said. One spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded. The shooter was not immediately identified. In a pair of statements, Trump said he was “fine” after a bullet struck “the upper part of [his] right ear.”

Comer announces probe into Trump shooting, will call Secret Service director to hearing | 13 July 2024 | House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that his panel will open an investigation into the shooting against former President Donald Trump. Comer (R-KY) revealed that he has already contacted the Secret Service and requested its director appear for a hearing on what authorities are investigating as an assassination attempt against the former president. “I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon,” Comer said in a statement.

Flashback: 5 Days Ago Biden Said ‘Put Trump in a Bullseye’ | 13 July 2024 | Days before an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Joe Biden said it was time to “put Trump in a bullseye.” Gunshots rang out Saturday during a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was wounded and was bleeding from the right side of his head near his ear. Reports indicated that the [a?] shooter was later killed. After the shooting, the White House issued a statement from Biden… However, on Monday, Biden was intense about taking the battle for the presidency to Trump. “We need to move forward. Look, we have roughly…120 days ’til the election. We can’t waste any more time being distracted,” Biden said in a call to supporters, according to Politico. “I have one job, and that’s to beat Donald Trump. I’m absolutely certain I’m the best person to be able to do that. So, we’re done talking about the debate,” Biden said, according to Politico. “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye,” he said.

First Picture of Trump Rally Shooter Arrested and Identified as Mark Violets, Alleged Antifa Member | 14 July 2024 | The Butler Police Department has confirmed the arrest and identification of the shooter at former President Donald Trump’s rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania. The suspect has been identified as Mark Violets, an alleged member of Antifa. Prior to the shooting, Violets uploaded a video to YouTube with the ominous message, “Justice is coming.” This video is now a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. The shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon, causing panic and chaos among rally attendees. Former President Trump was seen grabbing his ear, with blood visible on his cheek, though he later signalled to the crowd that he was not severely injured. Secret Service agents quickly moved to secure Trump and escorted him off the stage. Trump was later taken to the hospital and is reported to be “fine,” according to his campaign. Footage from the event shows Violets being apprehended by law enforcement.

World reacts after former President Donald Trump seen with blood on his face after ‘eight to ten’ shots at Pennsylvania rally sparks chaos – ‘Praying for President Trump’ | 13 July 2024 | Prayers are coming in for former President Trump after he was seen with blood on his face following shots that rang out at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday afternoon. Chaos broke out after Secret Service cleared the area and rushed the former president off stage. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., was standing front row at the rally along with Reps. Mike Kelly and GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick. Meuser said he heard between eight to 10 shots ring out as screams rippled through the crowd, according to Fox News. He added that it appeared there were multiple people in the crowd may have been impacted by the bullets and the local district attorney confirmed that at least one person is “believed to be dead.” The protective detail issued a statement shortly after the incident declaring “the former President is safe.” Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung thanked law enforcement and first responders “for their quick action during this heinous act.” “[Trump] is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility.”

Donald Trump injured in apparent assassination attempt –The former president was rushed to safety after gunshots were fired at his rally | 13 July 2024 | Donald Trump has been injured after gunshots were heard during his campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. The former US president was quickly rushed off stage by his security team. He had blood stains on his right ear. 23:08 GMT –Following the shooting, tech billionaire Elon Musk openly endorsed Trump. “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X. He had previously said he supported Trump’s policies, but had stopped short of a full endorsement. “Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt,” he added a few minutes later, referring to another presidential candidate who survived an assassination attempt in 1912. 23:08 GMT –A photo of bloodied Trump shaking his fist has quickly made rounds on social media. His son Donald Trump Jr. posted it on X with the caption, “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.” 23:08 GMT –Trump was in the middle of an impassioned speech when the shots were heard. “And then the worst president in the history of our country took over. And look what happened to our country. Probably 20 million people [came in illegally]… you want to really see something that sad, take a look at what happened over…” Trump said before shots rang out. 23:06 GMT —Local authorities believe one person at the rally was fatally shot, but have no confirmation or information about their identity. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and a Trump ally, also said that there might be at least one fatality. There has been no information about the shooter.

U.S. plan to deploy missiles in Germany a ‘direct threat’ – Moscow | 11 July 2024 | U.S. plans to deploy long-range missiles in Europe are a threat to global security and could pave the way for an escalation of already tense relations between Moscow and NATO, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said. On Wednesday, the U.S. and Germany issued a joint statement that Washington “will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fires capabilities of its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026, as part of planning for enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future.” In a post on Telegram on Thursday, Antonov denounced the move as “a serious mistake by Washington. Such extremely destabilizing steps are a direct threat to international security and strategic stability,” he said. The envoy stressed that the planned deployment “increases the risks of a missile arms race,” adding that it could unleash “uncontrolled escalation amid dangerously soaring Russia-NATO tensions.”

Russia takes out three U.S.-made Ukrainian missile systems – MOD –Up to ten foreign specialists operating HIMARS were also eliminated, the Defense Ministry said | 8 July 2024 | The Russian military has destroyed three U.S.-supplied Ukrainian High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) along with some of the foreign military personnel helping Kiev operate the missile arrays, Moscow has said. On Monday, the Defense Ministry stated that the systems were eliminated through the combined actions of Russian warplanes, drones, artillery and missile forces. It added that the strike also killed “up to 10 foreign specialists servicing those systems.” Officials, however, would not say where the HIMARS — which have a range of fire of about 80km — were destroyed, nor would they provide details regarding the nationality of the foreign personnel.

5 Journalists Killed by Israeli Forces Within 24 Hours – Gaza’s Government Media Office | 6 July 2024 | The conflict in Gaza has been considered the deadliest conflict for journalists and media workers in the world, according to an Al Jazeera report. At least three journalists in the Nuseirat refugee camp and two in Gaza City have been killed by separate Israeli strikes, said Gaza’s Government Media Office… At least 10 people were killed during the strike on Nuseirat, including children. On Friday, Palestinian journalists Saadi Madoukh and Ahmed Sukkar were also killed following an Israeli raid. The total number of media workers killed since the conflict first began has risen to at least 158.

The number of Democrats urging Biden to drop out grows to nearly 20 –The group transcends generational and ideological lines. | 12 July 2024 | Nearly 20 Democrats in Congress have called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, with more trickling out by the day. And the group transcends generational and ideological lines in the party. Most of the members are rank-and-file lawmakers, as Democratic leadership has continued to publicly back the president’s reelection. But the lawmakers calling for Biden to exit the race have extended to top national security Democrats like Reps. Jim Hines (D-Conn.) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking members on the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, respectively.

First Democratic senator calls for Biden to drop out of the race: Peter Welch says Joe is not the candidate to beat Trump | 11 July 2024 | Vermont Sen. Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to call for President Joe Biden to quit his reelection campaign. Welch penned an op-ed for The Washington Post that was published Wednesday evening that dubbed 81-year-old Biden “one of the best presidents of our time.” But then he noted that we “cannot unsee President [sic] Biden’s disastrous debate performance” nor “ignore or dismiss the valid questions raised since that night.” …”For the good of the country, I’m calling on President Biden to withdraw from the race.” With Welch’s admission, now a handful of Democrats from both houses in Congress have pleaded with Biden to bow out. Overall, nine Democratic House members have said it’s time for Biden to go. The president has, so far, resisted.

Donors withholding at least $90 million from top Biden super PAC – report | 12 July 2024 | Donors have told Future Forward, a top super PAC supporting Joe Biden’s 2024 re[s]election campaign, that they will withhold d-nations unless Biden is removed from the top of the Democratic ticket, according to a Friday report. The news from the New York Times comes as questions abound about the president’s status as the Democratic nominee following a disastrous first debate with former President Donald Trump and two weeks of subsequent triage by Biden’s team. According to the news outlet, which spoke to two people briefed on the matter, donors have momentarily paused at least 90 million in pledged donations to Future Forward. Though Biden’s initial attempts to ease concerns about his candidacy with Democratic power players yielded results, a steady string of party lawmakers have begun actively calling for Biden to step down over the past week.

Biden wants to serve until 2029 – White House | 9 July 2024 | Joe Biden is determined to stay in office for a full second term if reelected, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Biden did so poorly in the TV debate with Republican challenger Donald Trump two weeks ago that dozens of media outlets, prominent Democrats, and major party donors urged him to step aside. The 81-year-old has refused, insisting that he can beat Trump in November. “Does President [sic] Biden commit to serving a full second term if reelected?” Jean-Pierre was asked during the White House briefing on Tuesday. “Yes,” she replied.

EU state jails citizen for supporting Russia –Activist has been sentenced to three years in prison by a Latvian court for displaying pro-Russian flags in her windows | 11 July 2024 | The Riga City Court in Latvia has sentenced pro-Russian activist Elena Kreile to three years in prison on charges of publicly displaying support for Moscow and its military operation in Ukraine. Prosecutors had originally requested that Kreile receive three and a half years behind bars, according to court documents cited by the Jauns news outlet. The woman was officially charged under the Latvian Criminal Code’s [fascist] article on public justification of genocide, crimes against humanity and peace, and war crimes. Kreile was arrested in March for wearing a Soviet-style leather trench coat and a red flower in her beret. She initially received a fine for wearing clothes that were “an instrument of administrative violation,” but the prosecution later also charged her with supporting genocide for displaying pro-Russian symbols the windows of her house last year.