Outside Iona
May 4, 2023
Throughout our hectic student lives, we should always remain aware of what is happening around us. In this column, I find some of the most significant things around us and provide you with a small blurb and nitty-gritty details. Here are some of the major events that have been taking place:
President Biden announces reelection bid.
Last week, President Biden officially announced that he is running for reelection in 2024. If elected, Biden will be the oldest president to be in office. He is currently 80 years old. Biden faces no serious challengers from the Democratic party. Many, like Senator Bernie Sanders, have already endorsed Biden. His campaign released a 3-minute video on the four-year anniversary of his first bid for the presidency. The video highlighted notable moments in Biden’s presidency, echoing his theme of finishing the job as well as linking imagery from the Jan. 6 insurrection and protests from the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Former President Trump responded to the video, reasserting that the 2020 election was rigged. Biden’s age has been a question of contention as data has indicated that voters are concerned. However, it is too early to predict how voters will sway.
Information from AP News, NPR and Politico.
Five people killed in mass shooting in Texas.
Five people were shot in their home this Friday in Texas. Police arrived after they received a call concerning harassment. When they arrived, the police found several victims shot. The victims included three females and two males. The youngest victim was an 8-year-old boy. There is a current manhunt for the suspect, 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza. The victims were his neighbors, who were all from Honduras. Oropeza apparently killed the victims after they asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep. Oropeza is believed to have fled the country and is considered dangerous, according to authorities.
Information from ABC News, NBC News and AP News.
Coronation of Charles III.
Charles III will be coronated as king at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6. The ceremony is expected to start at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The coronation serves as a symbolic and religious ceremony to recognize the transfer of power, although the coronation is not required for the ruler to be legitimate. Camila will also be acknowledged as Queen Consort. In the United Kingdom there will be an extra bank holiday. Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Richie are performing at the coronation.
Drama surrounding the coronation is who will be in attendance. Members of the Royal Family, the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state and other royals are invited. Prince Harry has confirmed his attendance, but Meghan Markle will not be present. Their son, Prince Archie, whose fourth birthday is the same day as the coronation, will remain in America. President Biden will not attend but First Lady Jill Biden will attend on his behalf.
Information from the BBC, CNN and Bloomberg.
Sources:
President Biden announces reelection bid.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/25/biden-reelection-00093662
5 People killed in mass shooting in Texas.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/5-dead-texas-shooting-suspect-armed-ar-15/story?id=98957271
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/5-dead-child-shooting-texas-home-suspect-large-rcna82090
https://apnews.com/article/mass-shooting-san-jacinto-county-texas-395d6d7501f6a3f53aeccbb00ec5fbaf
Coronation of Charles III.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63543019
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/28/uk/coronation-of-king-charles-iii-preview-gbr-cmd-intl/index.html
