New rule has done little to stem spread of ‘ghost guns’
A federal rule adopted in August that cracked down on the online sale of untraceable components for weapons known as ghost guns has done little to stem the spread of the deadly homemade firearms, according to officials and gun control groups. The rule, among the most significant executive actions President Joe Biden has taken on a core campaign promise, clarified the definition of a firearm to better regulate modern semi-automatic weapons. That paved the way for regulating ready-made kits. But because the rule was created through executive action, rather than a statute validated by Congress, it has given companies confidence that they can keep selling individual gun parts.
Bill could pave way for Puerto Rican statehood
The House on Thursday voted to allow Puerto Ricans to decide the political future of the territory, the first time the chamber has committed to backing a binding process that could pave the way for Puerto Rico to become the nation’s 51st state or an independent country. The measure is all but certain to fall short of the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster in the Senate, where most Republicans are opposed, and there is little time left under this Congress before the GOP takes control of the House in early January, probably burying the effort for at least the next Congress.
Trump sells a new image as the hero of $99 trading cards
Donald Trump’s political opponents have long criticized him as something of a cartoon character. On Thursday, the former president made himself into one — but with the aim of turning a profit. In his first significant public move since opening his 2024 presidential campaign last month, Trump announced an online store to sell $99 digital trading cards of himself as a superhero, an astronaut, an Old West sheriff and a series of other fantastical figures. He made his pitch in a brief, direct-to-camera video in which he audaciously declared that his four years in the White House were “better than Lincoln, better than Washington.”
Twitter suspends journalists who wrote about Musk
Twitter has suspended the accounts of journalists who cover the social media platform and its new owner Elon Musk. Those who saw their accounts suspended include journalists working for The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN and other publications. The company hasn’t explained why it took down the accounts and made their profiles and past tweets disappear. The sudden suspension of news reporters followed Musk’s decision Wednesday to permanently ban an account that automatically tracked the flights of his private jet using publicly available data.
Malaysia landslide leaves 2 dead, 51 missing
A landslide at a tourist campground in Malaysia has left two people dead and authorities say 51 people are feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s fire and rescue department said in a statement that 79 people were believed to have been at the campsite in Batang Kali in central Selangor state, around 31 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, when the incident occurred early Friday. A child and a woman were found dead, a fire department official told AP. Three people were injured while rescuers were searching for the estimated 51 missing people. Another 23 people have been rescued.
By wire sources
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