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Kenya demonstrations: 'I feel betrayed by William Ruto'
Kenya demonstrations: 'I feel betrayed by William Ruto'
President Ruto was elected vowing to help poor Kenyans but since coming to power, life has got worse.
2023-07-19 09:54
DeSantis car crash revealed misuse of government vehicles for 2024 campaign, report claims
DeSantis car crash revealed misuse of government vehicles for 2024 campaign, report claims
The Tennesse car crash involving four vehicles in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s motorcade has revealed that his campaign has misused government vehicles by using cars owned by the state of Florida in his presidential run, a report claims. The crash that took place on Tuesday as the campaign team was travelling to fundraisers in three cities in the state shows how the campaign is using state resources, but it remains almost impossible to discover who’s funding it after a new law passed by the Florida legislature to shield Mr DeSantis’s travel records from the public, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The research director for nonprofit government watchdog Integrity Florida, Ben Wilcox, told the paper: “The legislature has enabled him to hide his travel records so we don’t know and have no way to hold him accountable if he is using state resources in his campaign or if that is even the case”. Orlando Democratic state representative Anna Eskamani told the paper that “It’s absurd that he’s using public resources and public infrastructure to campaign. He’s using state resources to boost himself politically”. The crash took place as the campaign was heading to a fundraiser when an accident further ahead caused traffic to slow down. A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer heading the motorcade stopped short, and the cars behind the officer rear-ended each other, according to Chattanooga Police. “If the accident hadn’t been reported, we wouldn’t have known otherwise about the use of state vehicles,” Ms Eskamani added. “It makes you wonder how often state vehicles and public employees are being used at out-of-state campaign events.” One DeSantis staffer was treated on the scene of the crash for minor injuries. There were no further injuries, police said. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents were also involved in the accident. Police said all the vehicles in the crash were government-owned. FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger told the paper: “We’ve never answered questions about our protective operations assets (number of agents used, vehicles etc.)” The federal campaign finance report filed on 15 July covering the three months leading up to 30 June doesn’t include any payments to FDLE for travel or security. The report states that $76,256 were spent on private security. The DeSantis campaign has recently been in the news for spending large amounts without much to show for it, and recently laying off 38 people – a third of the campaign staff. Travel and staffing appear to be large expenses for the campaign as Mr DeSantis has been reported to be travelling with a larger group of staffers compared to other candidates. The campaign had raised $20m as of 30 June and they had spent $8.2m – more than a million on payroll and almost as much on travel – $896,000. Mr DeSantis is reported to prefer to fly in private jets provided by a number of top donors, the Sentinel notes. Since the start of his gubernatorial re-election campaign last year, there have been questions about whose private jets he’s using and if they’re reported as in-kind contributions or gifts. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a sitting governor run for [president],” Mr Wilcox told the paper. The director of public access for the Florida Center for Government Accountability, Michael Barfield, told the paper that “at the end of the day, taxpayers don’t know what their money is being spent on”. He added that the group is considering its next legal steps. “We’re questioning the validity of the exemption,” Mr Barfield said. “We don’t think it meets a public purpose, so we will brainstorm about potential legal action.” Ms Eskamani said the legislature could repeal the public records exemption, but that “It would take a political will that doesn’t exist, even for something as nonpartisan as access to travel records”. The Independent has reached out to the DeSantis campaign for comment. Read More A new challenger has emerged to Trump – and his extreme anti-woke message is working DeSantis cornered on his Bud Light boycott after threatening legal action over stock drop Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Disney’s efforts to neutralize governing district takeover Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Disney’s efforts to neutralize governing district takeover DeSantis questioned about his Bud Light boycott after complaining about stock drop Trump calls additional charges in Jack Smith’s superseding indictment ‘harassment’
2023-07-29 23:28
Sylvester Stallone reveals that Adele insisted on keeping 'Rocky' statue when she bought his mansion
Sylvester Stallone reveals that Adele insisted on keeping 'Rocky' statue when she bought his mansion
Recognizing Adele's creative vision, Stallone agreed to let her keep the 'Rocky' statue
2023-06-20 20:21
A$AP Rocky will soon learn if he's going to trial for charges of shooting at former friend
A$AP Rocky will soon learn if he's going to trial for charges of shooting at former friend
Rapper A$AP Rocky could soon learn whether he'll be going to trial on allegations that he fired a gun at a former friend and collaborator outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021
2023-11-20 13:19
Trafalgar Square: Norwegian Christmas tree felled ahead of London journey
Trafalgar Square: Norwegian Christmas tree felled ahead of London journey
A tree is given to London every year as a token of thanks for support in the Second World War.
2023-11-25 16:21
Lizzo denies harassment allegations including weight-shaming
Lizzo denies harassment allegations including weight-shaming
Lizzo on Thursday hit back at allegations she weight-shamed her staff, calling the accusations in a lawsuit leveled by former dancers "as...
2023-08-03 22:46
Top Green Fund Backs Deforestation-Free Crops With $189 Million
Top Green Fund Backs Deforestation-Free Crops With $189 Million
The world’s biggest global climate fund has approved a $189 million commitment to &Green facility to support agriculture
2023-09-04 23:55
Italian artist Pistoletto's 'Venus of the Rags' destroyed in arson attack
Italian artist Pistoletto's 'Venus of the Rags' destroyed in arson attack
By Federica Urso and Alvise Armellini ROME An open-air installation of "Venus of the Rags", one of the
2023-07-12 18:22
Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky held in anti-corruption drive
Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky held in anti-corruption drive
Ihor Kolomoisky is accused of fraud and is the latest target of Ukraine's anti-corruption drive.
2023-09-03 06:56
McIlroy tied for lead at Memorial by making fewest mistakes
McIlroy tied for lead at Memorial by making fewest mistakes
Rory McIlroy didn't look like he was going anywhere at the Memorial until he wound up with a share of the lead
2023-06-04 07:27
US new home sales fall more than expected in October
US new home sales fall more than expected in October
WASHINGTON Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell more than expected in October, likely as higher mortgage rates
2023-11-27 23:18
Ross Chastain holds off Martin Truex Jr. to win Ally 400, 3rd NASCAR Cup Series victory
Ross Chastain holds off Martin Truex Jr. to win Ally 400, 3rd NASCAR Cup Series victory
Ross Chastain held off Martin Truex Jr. and won the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway
2023-06-26 10:45