Man Sentenced to Life for Attempted Trump Assassination
Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon for his attempted assassination of Donald Trump in September 2024, when Trump was a presidential candidate. Prosecutors described Routh's actions as a meticulously planned plot that included taking a sniper position at Trump International Golf Club, and they noted his lack of remorse. In addition to the life sentence, Routh received a mandatory seven-year term for a firearm offense.
US Launches Trade Zone for Critical Minerals Cooperation
The US government has initiated efforts to establish a trade zone for critical minerals, aiming to reduce China's dominance in the sector, with the first Critical Minerals Ministerial event hosted by the State Department attended by representatives from the UK, EU, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the need for coordinated trade policies to secure access to essential minerals, while the US plans to invest hundreds of billions into the mining sector and implement tariffs to stabilize prices. Concurrently, the European Union is preparing to propose a partnership with the US to further this initiative.
Supreme Court Approves California Congressional Map for Democrats
The Supreme Court has allowed California to implement a new congressional map that is expected to provide Democrats with the opportunity to gain five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This decision follows a previous ruling that permitted Texas to use a map benefiting Republicans. The California map, approved by voters through Proposition 50 in November, faced legal challenges from Republicans who alleged it was racially gerrymandered, but a federal district court ruled that the map was drawn primarily for partisan advantage.
Raytheon Wins Seven-Year Contract to Boost Missile Production
Raytheon, a unit of RTX, has secured a seven-year contract with the U.S. Department of War to significantly increase the production of various missiles, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, and SM-3 ballistic missile interceptors. Under the agreements, annual production of Tomahawks will rise from approximately 60 to over 1,000 units, while AMRAAM production will reach at least 1,900. The deals aim to bolster the U.S. defense industrial base amid rising global demand for precision munitions.
Fulton County demands return of seized election records
Fulton County, Georgia, has filed a motion in federal court demanding the return of 2020 election records seized by the FBI during a raid last week on its election operations center. County officials, led by Chairman Robb Pitts, argue that the seizure is illegal and poses a threat to electoral integrity, citing concerns over federal interference in upcoming midterm elections. The motion also seeks to unseal the affidavit supporting the FBI's search warrant.
